Wed, May, 30th , 2012
Today , I remember and honor the Life of someone I met so very briefly......Jai came up to me and introduced himself to me on my first full day at Kalani......I remembered his name because it is so unique but I have difficulty putting clarity to his physical being . I have met so many people here these past 2 weeks . This beautiful tormented soul took his own Life last week.....He went home , back to small town USA , and took his own Life.........
Kalani had a memorial service for Jai today. ....a beautiful creative artistic soul ........tormented and lost..... I was telling some of the volunteers about Jai coming up to me and introducing himself and they all were very surprised and said that was most unusual as Jai is very shy and keeps very much to himself. He is not one that would go up to you and introduce himself. Jai , I am honoured to have met you . I remember your warm handshake and smile , on my first day at Kalani......This, I do remember . Mahalo .
On a daily basis , we often take each day for granted . Often, we take our health too for granted , whether it be our physical health , or our mental health . What is exactly one's breaking point , the point where it becomes unbearable and the belief is that there is no other way out except to end one's precious Life......it brings tears to my eyes to even write this.....
Yes, we all have our moments of great sadness , moments even of great despair, sometimes even moments of hopelessness......and at the end of the day , sometimes but not always , it boils down to how we were raised as children , whether we were loved , supported and encouraged , whether we were given self worth , whether even our existence is acknowledged and cherished...........whether all of this is repeated again as we become adults......
And how does one leave Paradise , to have to go back to the possible Hell that may be one's everyday Life ? ............How does one make the transition ? So clear in colors. Black and white . In this, there is no gray.....There are no rainbow colours here , no joy......no sunshine..... I believe Jai saw rainbows here . I believe Jai's spirit and heart was honoured here at Kalani..... Here, he was able to express his heart's desire. I believe that Jai's Life here at Kalani was full of rainbow colours....... He returned home and saw only darkness......the colours of the wind left his heart and spirit......
Early this morning, I went and picked plumeria blossoms and orchids to make a lei for Jai A lei of aloha. Kalani had a lei making hour to make leis for Jai's memorial service. I was wearing my peacock blue and gold summer dress with a crochet neckline .......I lifted my dress up in the front to use as an apron basket to put my flower blossoms in . I made a beautiful fragrant lei with the plumeria blossoms and orchids . I wore the lei all day with much aloha , enjoying the wonderful fragrance , waiting to give it for the memorial service .
The memorial service was so very beautiful . It was held at the Point . The Point is a cliff side with lava rock and intermittent suggestions of yellow green grass , the ocean crashing on the rocks below.......the many shades of gorgeous deep to translucent blues of the cresting ocean waves , frothy white and glittering like tiny diamonds in the sunshine .......the setting was/ is so incredibly beautiful .......
In memorial of Jai , August 26th , 1967 to May 25th, 2012 ........At the end of the service , the song " May the Long Time Sun Shine Upon You " was played as we all sang along ..The singer has such a beautiful voice .
Here is the link to the beautiful song :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8eoEv1tnTU
" May the long time Sun shine upon you
All Love surround you
And the pure Light within you
Guide your way Home "
The first time I heard this song was during savasana last week in yoga and it brought tears to my eyes......The service started with an opening Hawaiian chant with Jonathan ( hula teacher ) in full Hawaiian tradition dress and also a closing Hawaiian chant. It was very powerful and spiritual . We then gave the leis that we made to Roy and Brett . One by one, we put our leis around Roy and Brett 's necks . They were both heavily laden with leis that we have made for Jai. They were to bring the leis further out into the ocean . The two brave young bucks carefully went down the lower part of the lava rock cliff side and went out into the swelling ocean surf on their surf boards .......they swam out quite a distance , with all of us watching on top of the cliff ......... they took off their leis , one by one and placed them gently on the ocean surf . I could tell that they were saying a blessing with each lei placed on the ocean waves by the way they paused with each lei before they were placed on the ocean waves . We could see the flowers cresting and falling with the ocean waves joyfully in the sun . Off in the distance, on the horizon , where the ocean met the sky , a rainbow appeared . It was magical , spiritual , and so very very beautiful .
We were all given leaves from the autograph tree with a small branch to write with . The leaves from the autograph tree are so thick that you can write and draw on it. We each wrote a message on the leaf with the branch . I sailed my message on the autograph leaf over the cliffside into the powerful crashing waves below , eventually it will be carried far out into the ocean.......
Today, I honour and remember a man whose hand I touched , in fleeting handshake and welcoming aloha......
Jai, you have affected me in a profound way. Mahalo for helping me remember how loved I am by my family and friends.....mahalo for helping me remember the great beauty that is in this world......Mahalo Jai .
Jai, may your spirit be at peace....may you know how you passing has touched the hearts of many....and how many loved you and grief in the lost of your beautiful soul on this earth......may God hold you in his loving arms eternally .
Jai , Shanti.....Shanti.....Shanti.......
Shanti and Aloha..........Peace and Love........
x0x0x0x0
Molly
Thursday 31 May 2012
Monday 28 May 2012
Mark Ceranski , excellent humble chef extraordinnare
Aloha !
Well, I'm am rubbing elbows with a very famous chef . Hugs too ! I adore Mark . Mark Ceranski . I had written about him in several of my earlier blog posts. He is writing a book called " Potboiler : In the Kitchen with Royalty , Dictators & Despots . " This is the same title as his blog. The title itself is so very much Mark, especially the addition of despots . He tells it like it is . Here is his blog and you can read about him : http://mark-ceranski.blogspot.com/2011/02/potboiler-in-kitchen-with-royalty.html He also has a website : www.markceranski.com .
So , I was talking with him earlier today and found out about his book . I will be requesting my Kitchen schedule to work with Mark , if that is at all possible as I told him that he can throw anything at me , and I can do it ! He said for sure that he will . I only have 1 shift in the kitchen each week and the rest is in Hale Aloha. I had wanted to work with him anyways even before I knew of his diverse and rich cooking background. He definitely is my favourite chef !
Mark is very funny and an absolute joy to work with. He is humble and not at all self promoting , so I will help promote him ! Yesterday , he made an AMAZING meal ! Lamb was the main course and most of you know that I do not eat lamb. For this one day, I made an exception as I knew Mark was the chef. So, here's the menu and the AMAZING meal that I had last night. Just incredibly and possibly one of the best, if not the best , meal I have ever eaten ! This dinner was a preview of the Culinary Festival that will be happening at Kalani in November this year. Hmmmmmmm....I think I may come back to Kalani in November ! :)
Dinner
Kalani Grown Watercress Soup
Spring Leg of Lamb with local Rosemary and Cabernet Sauce
accompanied by Kalani Mint Sauce
Pasta With Local Tomatoes and Kalani Grown Arugula
Dauphinoise Potatoes Gratinee
Sauteed Locally Grown Choy Sum ( Chinese Broccoli )
Hamakua Tomato & Local Greens Salad
Abundant Salad Bar with Kalani Made Dressings
Dessert
Big Island Apple Banana Cream Pie with Caramel Sauce
The meal was simply AMAZING!!!!!! And I doubt if I will ever eat lamb again. I had 2 helpings of dessert. Beth licked my dessert plate clean the first time as I had some caramel sauce left on it. She was in heaven when she was licking my plate. When I got my second serving of dessert , I made sure that I got Beth extra caramel sauce on her second serving too ! They played live music and it was such a great evening. Of course, it was rounded off with a movie about Nona Beamer. It was such a great day yesterday !
So you know why I sometimes go to 2 yoga classes in a day ( 3 hours total ) and also a dance class !!!!!! I walk everywhere and Kalani is HUGE , so that is good too !
I have had some really great meals here ! So very spoiled indeed !
With much aloha ,
Namaste....Shanti.......Carpe Diem !
x0x0x0x0
Molly
Well, I'm am rubbing elbows with a very famous chef . Hugs too ! I adore Mark . Mark Ceranski . I had written about him in several of my earlier blog posts. He is writing a book called " Potboiler : In the Kitchen with Royalty , Dictators & Despots . " This is the same title as his blog. The title itself is so very much Mark, especially the addition of despots . He tells it like it is . Here is his blog and you can read about him : http://mark-ceranski.blogspot.com/2011/02/potboiler-in-kitchen-with-royalty.html He also has a website : www.markceranski.com .
So , I was talking with him earlier today and found out about his book . I will be requesting my Kitchen schedule to work with Mark , if that is at all possible as I told him that he can throw anything at me , and I can do it ! He said for sure that he will . I only have 1 shift in the kitchen each week and the rest is in Hale Aloha. I had wanted to work with him anyways even before I knew of his diverse and rich cooking background. He definitely is my favourite chef !
Mark is very funny and an absolute joy to work with. He is humble and not at all self promoting , so I will help promote him ! Yesterday , he made an AMAZING meal ! Lamb was the main course and most of you know that I do not eat lamb. For this one day, I made an exception as I knew Mark was the chef. So, here's the menu and the AMAZING meal that I had last night. Just incredibly and possibly one of the best, if not the best , meal I have ever eaten ! This dinner was a preview of the Culinary Festival that will be happening at Kalani in November this year. Hmmmmmmm....I think I may come back to Kalani in November ! :)
Dinner
Kalani Grown Watercress Soup
Spring Leg of Lamb with local Rosemary and Cabernet Sauce
accompanied by Kalani Mint Sauce
Pasta With Local Tomatoes and Kalani Grown Arugula
Dauphinoise Potatoes Gratinee
Sauteed Locally Grown Choy Sum ( Chinese Broccoli )
Hamakua Tomato & Local Greens Salad
Abundant Salad Bar with Kalani Made Dressings
Dessert
Big Island Apple Banana Cream Pie with Caramel Sauce
The meal was simply AMAZING!!!!!! And I doubt if I will ever eat lamb again. I had 2 helpings of dessert. Beth licked my dessert plate clean the first time as I had some caramel sauce left on it. She was in heaven when she was licking my plate. When I got my second serving of dessert , I made sure that I got Beth extra caramel sauce on her second serving too ! They played live music and it was such a great evening. Of course, it was rounded off with a movie about Nona Beamer. It was such a great day yesterday !
So you know why I sometimes go to 2 yoga classes in a day ( 3 hours total ) and also a dance class !!!!!! I walk everywhere and Kalani is HUGE , so that is good too !
I have had some really great meals here ! So very spoiled indeed !
With much aloha ,
Namaste....Shanti.......Carpe Diem !
x0x0x0x0
Molly
Hail to the Jewel In the Heart of the Lotus
Aloha everyone !
I can't believe that its Monday already and that I have now been at Kalani for 2 weeks ! My days have been really full . Full of activity, full of yoga, dance and laughter too !
On Saturday, May 26th, I did my first Wu Ji Zen Qi Gong class. It was pouring rain at 6:50 a.m. and I just managed to get into class before the rain was coming down heavy in vertical sheets. Oh, how I love the sound of the rain............
The Wu Ji Zen Gong class was led by Craig and Stevie , and we listened to a tape recording to follow along for the movements. It was most interesting indeed . The rain was coming down in beaded sheets , and the thick accented voice of a Chinese Man comes on through the speakers, and the class begins. Sometimes, I followed Craig and Stevie but mostly I followed the verbal instructions that came over the speakers . heck, at times , I felt like I was in a Beijing park , doing Tai Chi with the masses . ( I did that last summer in Beijing .) This isn't quite like Tai Chi , though , although there are some similar movements. We barely moved at all , and when we did, It was veeerrry slow , very controlled . It was a very cool morning and I felt so very warm. I was thinking , ' Hey, what's happening ? I'm barely moving , its cool outside , I'm feeling very comfortable but I am also starting to feel very warm . Why am I feeling warm ? I'm friggin' barely moving ! Its not just my body feeling warm , but I could feel the space surrounding me feel very warm also . Like a very warm aura. My hands were also feeling warm , especially at the fingertips. What's up with that ????? ' I told Stevie about it afterwards and he smiled and said, " That was your chi . You have very powerful chi ! " Wow !!! It really was powerful . It was a good kinda warm. It was not the kind of warm that you feel like you are going to pass out , but it was the kind of warm that you feel when you are cold and have a nice hot water bottle on the cold parts , like your feet ! :) It was raining so hard throughout class and Stevie and Craig gave me a ride back to the lanai so that I could have a really quick breakfast and head back down to E-Max ( that's where most classes are held ) again for a 2 hour Restorative Yoga class . I know . I know. Its crazy. Doing classes almost back to back with half an hour in between. I love it though.
Well, the car that Stevie and Craig drove was a beat up VW . The re-vamped VW that has a vase in it for a flower , not the VW of long ago that you can push start if you need to. I said to Stevie and Criag , " With so many beautiful flowers all around us , don't you think you can put a real flower in the vase ? " They both laughed . The inside of it was falling apart and duct taped and masking taped together . Everywhere. Everywhere , there was duct tape and masking tape , even on the seats. There was no back seat and the inside door handles were literally semi-attached to the car with masking tape. I've ridden in some crazy rides , but this one has got to be the most interesting yet .
And yes, after a quick 15 minute breakfast, I dashed back down to E-Max ( about a 7- 10 minute walk from my loft and about a 10 - 15 min walk from the Lanai where breakfast is served ) for a 2 hour Restorative Yoga class.. It was one of the best yoga classes ever ! Right after yoga , I had half an hour to get back to my loft , showered , got changed, and went for a very quick lunch and started my shift at Hale Aloha at noon. I got off my shift at 7:30 and then went to an evening concert at E-Max at 8:00 p.m. for an intimate evening concert with Kainanai Kahaunaele . She truly is a Hawaiian songbird ! Kainanai is a multiple hanohano award winner. She had 2 musicians with her and one of them was an AMAZING slack key guitarist . The other musician had a great falsetto voice . What a joy the evening was ! As you could see, I had a very full day on Saturday !
And then along comes Sunday, May 27th! The day started off with breakfast, then off to Maku'u Market from 8:30 to 11:00 . Maku'u Market is in Pahoa , about a 20 minute drive from Kalani . It was a lot of fun and I spent most of my time talking to the artisans there. I BOUGHT A SINGING BOWL !!!!!!! It is very small , just the right size for my hands and is blue and gold. Around the bowl , are the sanskrit words which translates to " Hail to the Jewel in the Heart of the Lotus. " My friend Beth , who was with me , said " You have to buy this bowl, Molly ! You really are the Jewel in the Heart of the Lotus ! The translation is you ! " That was so sweet of her to say that . And as I played the bowl , it sang for me ...........The merchant gave me a choice of stone for free and I chose a white selenite shaped like a heart . I wanted to put the white heart in the centre of the bowl when I wasn't playing it. The white heart was a symbol of purity for me. A pure heart .
And the rest of Sunday was busy too . My shift started at 12:00 so I had just enough time to get cleaned up and go for lunch before the shift started. Mid way through my shift , I went to bellydancing ! Loved it but unfortunately , the teacher was not good at shimmying so she did little of that. I LOVE TO SHIMMY ! Shimmying in bellydance is like a meditation for me. I could shimmy for a very long time . When I bellydance several years ago , I was know as the Shimmy Queen in my class. I can shimmy very fast for a long time . I love the 3/4 shimmy . That is super fast !
After my shift at 7:30 , I went to a special movie presentation on ' Nona Beamer , A Legacy of Aloha . "
What an amazing woman Auntie Nona was ! I was thinking before I saw the movie ' hmmmmm , Beamer . Could she be related to Keola and Kapono Beamer who sang ' Seabreeze/Puamana .' I love the song Seabreeze . It is so 70's !! Here's the link :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg1W4bUdW4A
The Hula class that I go to in Burnaby ( Halau Kiai O Ka Hula / Josie Debaat ) know how much I love this song , especially Sulay ! We performed this song last year in a Dance Festival.
Well, Nona Beamer is the Mom of Keola and Kapono Beamer !!!!! How awesome is that ?????? !!!!!!!
Nona Beamer was a key player in bringing back the standing hula. I didn't know that the standing hula was banned until 1965 . Prior to that , if hula was allowed at all to be performed , it had to be sitting . It was quite the story, of the typical caucasian oppressors who take over land from the native people and destroyed culture and tradition . Nona Beamer truly was a remarkable woman , in many many ways . Nona, I would have loved to have met you ..................Mahalo for you purity of spirit and heart, and belief in your heritage and culture ! Because of you , hula survived .
So now, today is Monday, as I write this blog. Had meetings all morning and went to a Yin yoga class. had lunch and will be going to a Lauhala weaving class in a few minutes. Then comes dinner and right after that will be Hawaiian Studies .......The day is full . Its my day off today . Kalani has asked be to work in the kitchen tomorrow to make breakfast and lunch , as they are short staff. Generally though, I will be working mostly at Hale Aloha , scooping ice cream , tidying up the guest area, re-stocking food items, taking inventory , tidying up merchandise that is for sale ( gift shop ) and talk to the guests ! The ice cream will be the end of me, though ! :( There are probably at least 50 different flavors ( and that is not including the sorbets and the frozen yogurts ) and part of my job is to taste test them so that if I am asked, I could tell people what I think What an aweful thing to have to do, taste all the ice cream , sorbets and frozen yogurts . That really is the tough part of my job . :( So much for all the yoga and dance classes that I am doing every day ! I will be increasing in girth, not decreasing ! :( I LOVE ice cream . I can eat ice cream every day ! Oh, I make smoothies too at Hale Aloha . Hale is pronounced as Ha lay , not hail . Just so you know ! :)
In restorative yoga yesterday , Kathy always has a song to sing at the end of the class . We sang " Row row row your boat " at the end of the class .
" Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream.....
merrily merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream ! "
Keep it simple. Keep it pure. Be kind to one another . Live you Dream . Dare to Dream.......
With much aloha ,
Namaste....Shanti.....
x0x0x0x0
Molly
I can't believe that its Monday already and that I have now been at Kalani for 2 weeks ! My days have been really full . Full of activity, full of yoga, dance and laughter too !
On Saturday, May 26th, I did my first Wu Ji Zen Qi Gong class. It was pouring rain at 6:50 a.m. and I just managed to get into class before the rain was coming down heavy in vertical sheets. Oh, how I love the sound of the rain............
The Wu Ji Zen Gong class was led by Craig and Stevie , and we listened to a tape recording to follow along for the movements. It was most interesting indeed . The rain was coming down in beaded sheets , and the thick accented voice of a Chinese Man comes on through the speakers, and the class begins. Sometimes, I followed Craig and Stevie but mostly I followed the verbal instructions that came over the speakers . heck, at times , I felt like I was in a Beijing park , doing Tai Chi with the masses . ( I did that last summer in Beijing .) This isn't quite like Tai Chi , though , although there are some similar movements. We barely moved at all , and when we did, It was veeerrry slow , very controlled . It was a very cool morning and I felt so very warm. I was thinking , ' Hey, what's happening ? I'm barely moving , its cool outside , I'm feeling very comfortable but I am also starting to feel very warm . Why am I feeling warm ? I'm friggin' barely moving ! Its not just my body feeling warm , but I could feel the space surrounding me feel very warm also . Like a very warm aura. My hands were also feeling warm , especially at the fingertips. What's up with that ????? ' I told Stevie about it afterwards and he smiled and said, " That was your chi . You have very powerful chi ! " Wow !!! It really was powerful . It was a good kinda warm. It was not the kind of warm that you feel like you are going to pass out , but it was the kind of warm that you feel when you are cold and have a nice hot water bottle on the cold parts , like your feet ! :) It was raining so hard throughout class and Stevie and Craig gave me a ride back to the lanai so that I could have a really quick breakfast and head back down to E-Max ( that's where most classes are held ) again for a 2 hour Restorative Yoga class . I know . I know. Its crazy. Doing classes almost back to back with half an hour in between. I love it though.
Well, the car that Stevie and Craig drove was a beat up VW . The re-vamped VW that has a vase in it for a flower , not the VW of long ago that you can push start if you need to. I said to Stevie and Criag , " With so many beautiful flowers all around us , don't you think you can put a real flower in the vase ? " They both laughed . The inside of it was falling apart and duct taped and masking taped together . Everywhere. Everywhere , there was duct tape and masking tape , even on the seats. There was no back seat and the inside door handles were literally semi-attached to the car with masking tape. I've ridden in some crazy rides , but this one has got to be the most interesting yet .
And yes, after a quick 15 minute breakfast, I dashed back down to E-Max ( about a 7- 10 minute walk from my loft and about a 10 - 15 min walk from the Lanai where breakfast is served ) for a 2 hour Restorative Yoga class.. It was one of the best yoga classes ever ! Right after yoga , I had half an hour to get back to my loft , showered , got changed, and went for a very quick lunch and started my shift at Hale Aloha at noon. I got off my shift at 7:30 and then went to an evening concert at E-Max at 8:00 p.m. for an intimate evening concert with Kainanai Kahaunaele . She truly is a Hawaiian songbird ! Kainanai is a multiple hanohano award winner. She had 2 musicians with her and one of them was an AMAZING slack key guitarist . The other musician had a great falsetto voice . What a joy the evening was ! As you could see, I had a very full day on Saturday !
And then along comes Sunday, May 27th! The day started off with breakfast, then off to Maku'u Market from 8:30 to 11:00 . Maku'u Market is in Pahoa , about a 20 minute drive from Kalani . It was a lot of fun and I spent most of my time talking to the artisans there. I BOUGHT A SINGING BOWL !!!!!!! It is very small , just the right size for my hands and is blue and gold. Around the bowl , are the sanskrit words which translates to " Hail to the Jewel in the Heart of the Lotus. " My friend Beth , who was with me , said " You have to buy this bowl, Molly ! You really are the Jewel in the Heart of the Lotus ! The translation is you ! " That was so sweet of her to say that . And as I played the bowl , it sang for me ...........The merchant gave me a choice of stone for free and I chose a white selenite shaped like a heart . I wanted to put the white heart in the centre of the bowl when I wasn't playing it. The white heart was a symbol of purity for me. A pure heart .
And the rest of Sunday was busy too . My shift started at 12:00 so I had just enough time to get cleaned up and go for lunch before the shift started. Mid way through my shift , I went to bellydancing ! Loved it but unfortunately , the teacher was not good at shimmying so she did little of that. I LOVE TO SHIMMY ! Shimmying in bellydance is like a meditation for me. I could shimmy for a very long time . When I bellydance several years ago , I was know as the Shimmy Queen in my class. I can shimmy very fast for a long time . I love the 3/4 shimmy . That is super fast !
After my shift at 7:30 , I went to a special movie presentation on ' Nona Beamer , A Legacy of Aloha . "
What an amazing woman Auntie Nona was ! I was thinking before I saw the movie ' hmmmmm , Beamer . Could she be related to Keola and Kapono Beamer who sang ' Seabreeze/Puamana .' I love the song Seabreeze . It is so 70's !! Here's the link :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg1W4bUdW4A
The Hula class that I go to in Burnaby ( Halau Kiai O Ka Hula / Josie Debaat ) know how much I love this song , especially Sulay ! We performed this song last year in a Dance Festival.
Well, Nona Beamer is the Mom of Keola and Kapono Beamer !!!!! How awesome is that ?????? !!!!!!!
Nona Beamer was a key player in bringing back the standing hula. I didn't know that the standing hula was banned until 1965 . Prior to that , if hula was allowed at all to be performed , it had to be sitting . It was quite the story, of the typical caucasian oppressors who take over land from the native people and destroyed culture and tradition . Nona Beamer truly was a remarkable woman , in many many ways . Nona, I would have loved to have met you ..................Mahalo for you purity of spirit and heart, and belief in your heritage and culture ! Because of you , hula survived .
So now, today is Monday, as I write this blog. Had meetings all morning and went to a Yin yoga class. had lunch and will be going to a Lauhala weaving class in a few minutes. Then comes dinner and right after that will be Hawaiian Studies .......The day is full . Its my day off today . Kalani has asked be to work in the kitchen tomorrow to make breakfast and lunch , as they are short staff. Generally though, I will be working mostly at Hale Aloha , scooping ice cream , tidying up the guest area, re-stocking food items, taking inventory , tidying up merchandise that is for sale ( gift shop ) and talk to the guests ! The ice cream will be the end of me, though ! :( There are probably at least 50 different flavors ( and that is not including the sorbets and the frozen yogurts ) and part of my job is to taste test them so that if I am asked, I could tell people what I think What an aweful thing to have to do, taste all the ice cream , sorbets and frozen yogurts . That really is the tough part of my job . :( So much for all the yoga and dance classes that I am doing every day ! I will be increasing in girth, not decreasing ! :( I LOVE ice cream . I can eat ice cream every day ! Oh, I make smoothies too at Hale Aloha . Hale is pronounced as Ha lay , not hail . Just so you know ! :)
In restorative yoga yesterday , Kathy always has a song to sing at the end of the class . We sang " Row row row your boat " at the end of the class .
" Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream.....
merrily merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream ! "
Keep it simple. Keep it pure. Be kind to one another . Live you Dream . Dare to Dream.......
With much aloha ,
Namaste....Shanti.....
x0x0x0x0
Molly
Friday 25 May 2012
Hammock Siesta , palm trees swaying above
Aloha !
Well, just finished the workshop " Music from anything " a few hours ago . It was a lot of fun but I don't think I will remember much of the sequencing of the body slaps/ claps . Anything can be used as a percussion instrument. During lunch, our group went through the kitchen and played human bagpipes. It was funny and weird and creative and wacko , all at the same time. What you do is you squeeze and hold your nose with one hand , and with the other hand, you place that hand across your throat area , like a karate chop. Then you vocalize a music note , while gently hitting your throat to create a nasal vibrating sound. hence, human bagpipes. Well, we marched through the dining lanai and into the kitchen serving area , each sounding out our nasal notes which Jane, our leader , nasalled out a well know bagpipe song. Something dragoon , can't remember the name, but I know you all know it. The whole thing was fun, bizarre and weird and got a lot of laughs. Yes, try that yourself with some friends. Human bagpipes. :)
I'm getting the names all confused here as in the last week or so, I have met about 100 people that are either staff or volunteers. I will correct myself as the chef that I thought was named Gary ( there is a chef here named Gary and he is also GREAT ) is actually Mark. Mark Ceranski I love his candor. He is an amazing chef. He was blowing the conch for lunch today and I was standing beside him . On the first blow , the sound was barely audible . " F @## ! " he said. On the second blow , it was better but not loud enough. " S**@ ! " came another word. He is so very funny . Several days ago, I was told by one of the kitchen people that I had to use a ceramic knife to cut the romaine lettuce as it helps in slowing down the oxidization of the leaves , so they don't go brown as quickly . I would just tear the lettuce leaves frankly , but they have to be cut . " That's just bullshit ! " he said , in regards to the ceramic knives . I agree with him . Please don't go running out to get a ceramic knife to cut lettuce . Its not needed in everyday cooking . Well, I generally do as I 'm told. Usually .
I am enjoying working in the kitchen a lot . It is tiring though as we are literally non stop at a very fast pace . And I mean a very fast pace. We have to do everything . The prepping, cooking, washing all the dishes that we use, washing all the dishes that the guests/ staff/ volunteers use for mealtime , scrubbing the kitchen floor and mats once a day . We do get an hour break off during our shift . I will be starting at Hale Aloha tomorrow. It is at a much slower pace and it sounds like that I am a greeter of sorts and serve ice cream and smaller refreshments for the guests. I won't have to tie my hair up in a bandanna nor have to wear close toe shoes at hale Aloha. I can wear basically what I wear everyday , which is a summer dress and flip flops , and of course, a flower in my hair ! :)
There is a fellow named Jim and last week , I noticed that the top of his head was bald , in a perfect circle. I thought it a bit odd as I could have sworn that he had a full head of hair. A very full thick head of hair. The next day , all he had were two thick tuffs of hair , on each side of his head. Sorry, but I laughed when I saw him as he really looked like Bozo the clown. What a goofball. He literally had two thick tuffs of hair. He asked Jay , one of the volunteers to buzz cut it like so. Then the following day, he wore a baseball cap for several days. Now, he has a full shave and it looks better. What a goof ! He did it to get a reaction and he certainly got that . " I thought you were going to try out for clown school " one of the guys said. " I thought maybe I would start a trend " he replied. " Ha ! Don't think any of the younguns' will copy his hairdittydo ! Crazy ! And then he starts talking about a colon cleanse while I am eating my macaroon macadamia nut square with chocolate sauce. " Molly's just moving her dessert around her plate with her chocolate sauce . Sorry Moll , shouldn't be talking about this stuff while you're eating . " Yep. The men here can be most juvenile. I'm not talking about the 20 somethings . These are forty somethings, fifty somethings and then some .
Its another beautiful day here in Kalani......oh, the cooling trade winds......the hammock is calling me ...............would be nice to take an afternoon siesta in the hammock . That is exactly where I am heading right now.
Have an awesome weekend !
Aloha .....Namaste ......
x0x0x0x0
Molly
Well, just finished the workshop " Music from anything " a few hours ago . It was a lot of fun but I don't think I will remember much of the sequencing of the body slaps/ claps . Anything can be used as a percussion instrument. During lunch, our group went through the kitchen and played human bagpipes. It was funny and weird and creative and wacko , all at the same time. What you do is you squeeze and hold your nose with one hand , and with the other hand, you place that hand across your throat area , like a karate chop. Then you vocalize a music note , while gently hitting your throat to create a nasal vibrating sound. hence, human bagpipes. Well, we marched through the dining lanai and into the kitchen serving area , each sounding out our nasal notes which Jane, our leader , nasalled out a well know bagpipe song. Something dragoon , can't remember the name, but I know you all know it. The whole thing was fun, bizarre and weird and got a lot of laughs. Yes, try that yourself with some friends. Human bagpipes. :)
I'm getting the names all confused here as in the last week or so, I have met about 100 people that are either staff or volunteers. I will correct myself as the chef that I thought was named Gary ( there is a chef here named Gary and he is also GREAT ) is actually Mark. Mark Ceranski I love his candor. He is an amazing chef. He was blowing the conch for lunch today and I was standing beside him . On the first blow , the sound was barely audible . " F @## ! " he said. On the second blow , it was better but not loud enough. " S**@ ! " came another word. He is so very funny . Several days ago, I was told by one of the kitchen people that I had to use a ceramic knife to cut the romaine lettuce as it helps in slowing down the oxidization of the leaves , so they don't go brown as quickly . I would just tear the lettuce leaves frankly , but they have to be cut . " That's just bullshit ! " he said , in regards to the ceramic knives . I agree with him . Please don't go running out to get a ceramic knife to cut lettuce . Its not needed in everyday cooking . Well, I generally do as I 'm told. Usually .
I am enjoying working in the kitchen a lot . It is tiring though as we are literally non stop at a very fast pace . And I mean a very fast pace. We have to do everything . The prepping, cooking, washing all the dishes that we use, washing all the dishes that the guests/ staff/ volunteers use for mealtime , scrubbing the kitchen floor and mats once a day . We do get an hour break off during our shift . I will be starting at Hale Aloha tomorrow. It is at a much slower pace and it sounds like that I am a greeter of sorts and serve ice cream and smaller refreshments for the guests. I won't have to tie my hair up in a bandanna nor have to wear close toe shoes at hale Aloha. I can wear basically what I wear everyday , which is a summer dress and flip flops , and of course, a flower in my hair ! :)
There is a fellow named Jim and last week , I noticed that the top of his head was bald , in a perfect circle. I thought it a bit odd as I could have sworn that he had a full head of hair. A very full thick head of hair. The next day , all he had were two thick tuffs of hair , on each side of his head. Sorry, but I laughed when I saw him as he really looked like Bozo the clown. What a goofball. He literally had two thick tuffs of hair. He asked Jay , one of the volunteers to buzz cut it like so. Then the following day, he wore a baseball cap for several days. Now, he has a full shave and it looks better. What a goof ! He did it to get a reaction and he certainly got that . " I thought you were going to try out for clown school " one of the guys said. " I thought maybe I would start a trend " he replied. " Ha ! Don't think any of the younguns' will copy his hairdittydo ! Crazy ! And then he starts talking about a colon cleanse while I am eating my macaroon macadamia nut square with chocolate sauce. " Molly's just moving her dessert around her plate with her chocolate sauce . Sorry Moll , shouldn't be talking about this stuff while you're eating . " Yep. The men here can be most juvenile. I'm not talking about the 20 somethings . These are forty somethings, fifty somethings and then some .
Its another beautiful day here in Kalani......oh, the cooling trade winds......the hammock is calling me ...............would be nice to take an afternoon siesta in the hammock . That is exactly where I am heading right now.
Have an awesome weekend !
Aloha .....Namaste ......
x0x0x0x0
Molly
Body percussion and other musical instruments
Aloha !
Kalani is having some internet problems so I haven't written for a few days. And, I was just finish writing this blog when the system crashed and I am starting all over again . :( Crapola !
Well, I did fall asleep in a hammock on Monday, on a very hot and sunny day , in partial shade. I looked in the mirror on Tuesday and I am very tanned. My face is tanned, and so is the rest of me ! So, when I come back home, I will be a dark chocolate brown ! Well, maybe a darkish milk chocolate.
On Monday night , there was a Hawaiian Studies on the Music of Hawaii and Hawaiian Instruments hosted by Leilehua and Manu . They were amazing story tellers and weaved a mighty fine tale of how the hawaiian instruments came to be, along with hula. The ipu , puili sticks, rocks , uli uli , nose flute ( a flute that you play with you nose, fascinating ) and slack key guitar were mentioned, among other instruments. ( I think I named them all . )
The story goes that Captain George Vancouver gifted the King of Hawaii some cows. At that time, the largest animal was a sheep . The King of Hawaii was so enthralled that no one was allowed to touch the cows. The cows, having no predators ( and also were not eaten as food ) quickly became over populated . The King hired cowboys from Spain and also Mexico to help with the cow problem. The vaqueros brought over their guitars . Well, the Hawaiians became great cowboys and the paniolos learned to also play the guitar, but in their own style. The paniolos loosened the guitar strings to create a deeper base sound and thus, slack key guitar was born ! Manu said that he was often asked what really is the difference between regular guitar sounds and slack key guitar sounds. He said that if you listen carefully, you can hear the beat of the ipu in the background. You can hear ute u te te , ute u te te , and variations thereof. Its true, you can really hear the beat of the ipu in the background of slack key guitar ! How cool is that ?
A few days ago, I was given carte blanche to make a pineapple mango salsa to go with coconut shrimp. I was given fresh mangoes, pineapple , red onion , parsley and lime . I made a really yummy fresh salsa and people were asking for seconds . No S & P was required although I was told to put some in . It didn't need any S & P. The chef agreed . We ran out, unfortunately and some people didn't even have firsts as they came to dinner late. I made 4 quarts salsa. Today , I was also given carte blanche to make a minty cucumber salad. I was given cucumbers, fresh mint , olive oil , brown rice vinegar . S & P I made a really yummy fresh cucumber salad and it was also all gone and people were asking for seconds. I didn't use any pepper, didn't use any salt , and was asked to use dried dill but I didn't as the dried dill would have added a grainy texture to teh salad and it would no longer taste as fresh. I love the fresh minimalist recipes . " here's what you can use, make something with it ! " " Okee dokee ! " Its not easy to get the chefs to let you make things. I scored a recipe from one of the chefs for Hawaiian Pot Roast and Wasabi Mashed Potatoes with Coconut Cream. I asked Chef gary what makes it Hawaiian , besides the cow being Hawaiian. He rattled off all the ingredients and then said, I will print you my recipe !!!!! Another one of my favourite chef's name is also Gary. The first time I worked with him was my second shift in the kitchen. He said, " Molly, we have a lot of work ahead and we have 2 meals to knock off . We are down 2 bodies so we have to work extra fast . There might be some swearing ! " He made me laugh . That was my best shift so far ! I love working with him .
Went to Uncle Robert's Awa Bar yesterday . ( Kava kava , look it up . ) I ddin't drink any as I am already relaxed and mellow . : ) There was a night market there and a band was also playing. Uncle Roberts is an outdoor bar. Quite neat ! A really favourite hangout. I was there for 2 hours . Its an interesting set up as mere steps ( 3 steps ) from the open bar are picnic tables where children and babies sit with their parents, eating food and there are bottles of alcohol on the table. taht kinda thing would not be allowed in Canada . You don't really know where the bar ends ! :)
It was another beautiful day here at Kalani..........I hope to do a study of the different plants and flowers here.Its just after 10:00 p.m. and has started to rain. It rains heavily through the night , into the early hors of the morning and then is usually beautiful throughout the day.
I'm off to bed . I was on late shift tonight in the kitchen and I am a wee bit tired. All that percussion body slapping for 3 hours this morning and then working the rest of the afternoon into evening . Kami , the Kitchen Manager said to me , " No bruises, Molly ! Don't bruise yourself from all that body percussion ! I can't have you working at Hale Aloha greeting guests with bruises on your body ! Ummm, it won't loom so good.
Yes, I agreed. So far, I'm a bit red still , but no visible bruising ! Fingers crossed !
With much aloha !
x0x0x0x0
Molly
Kalani is having some internet problems so I haven't written for a few days. And, I was just finish writing this blog when the system crashed and I am starting all over again . :( Crapola !
Well, I did fall asleep in a hammock on Monday, on a very hot and sunny day , in partial shade. I looked in the mirror on Tuesday and I am very tanned. My face is tanned, and so is the rest of me ! So, when I come back home, I will be a dark chocolate brown ! Well, maybe a darkish milk chocolate.
On Monday night , there was a Hawaiian Studies on the Music of Hawaii and Hawaiian Instruments hosted by Leilehua and Manu . They were amazing story tellers and weaved a mighty fine tale of how the hawaiian instruments came to be, along with hula. The ipu , puili sticks, rocks , uli uli , nose flute ( a flute that you play with you nose, fascinating ) and slack key guitar were mentioned, among other instruments. ( I think I named them all . )
The story goes that Captain George Vancouver gifted the King of Hawaii some cows. At that time, the largest animal was a sheep . The King of Hawaii was so enthralled that no one was allowed to touch the cows. The cows, having no predators ( and also were not eaten as food ) quickly became over populated . The King hired cowboys from Spain and also Mexico to help with the cow problem. The vaqueros brought over their guitars . Well, the Hawaiians became great cowboys and the paniolos learned to also play the guitar, but in their own style. The paniolos loosened the guitar strings to create a deeper base sound and thus, slack key guitar was born ! Manu said that he was often asked what really is the difference between regular guitar sounds and slack key guitar sounds. He said that if you listen carefully, you can hear the beat of the ipu in the background. You can hear ute u te te , ute u te te , and variations thereof. Its true, you can really hear the beat of the ipu in the background of slack key guitar ! How cool is that ?
A few days ago, I was given carte blanche to make a pineapple mango salsa to go with coconut shrimp. I was given fresh mangoes, pineapple , red onion , parsley and lime . I made a really yummy fresh salsa and people were asking for seconds . No S & P was required although I was told to put some in . It didn't need any S & P. The chef agreed . We ran out, unfortunately and some people didn't even have firsts as they came to dinner late. I made 4 quarts salsa. Today , I was also given carte blanche to make a minty cucumber salad. I was given cucumbers, fresh mint , olive oil , brown rice vinegar . S & P I made a really yummy fresh cucumber salad and it was also all gone and people were asking for seconds. I didn't use any pepper, didn't use any salt , and was asked to use dried dill but I didn't as the dried dill would have added a grainy texture to teh salad and it would no longer taste as fresh. I love the fresh minimalist recipes . " here's what you can use, make something with it ! " " Okee dokee ! " Its not easy to get the chefs to let you make things. I scored a recipe from one of the chefs for Hawaiian Pot Roast and Wasabi Mashed Potatoes with Coconut Cream. I asked Chef gary what makes it Hawaiian , besides the cow being Hawaiian. He rattled off all the ingredients and then said, I will print you my recipe !!!!! Another one of my favourite chef's name is also Gary. The first time I worked with him was my second shift in the kitchen. He said, " Molly, we have a lot of work ahead and we have 2 meals to knock off . We are down 2 bodies so we have to work extra fast . There might be some swearing ! " He made me laugh . That was my best shift so far ! I love working with him .
Went to Uncle Robert's Awa Bar yesterday . ( Kava kava , look it up . ) I ddin't drink any as I am already relaxed and mellow . : ) There was a night market there and a band was also playing. Uncle Roberts is an outdoor bar. Quite neat ! A really favourite hangout. I was there for 2 hours . Its an interesting set up as mere steps ( 3 steps ) from the open bar are picnic tables where children and babies sit with their parents, eating food and there are bottles of alcohol on the table. taht kinda thing would not be allowed in Canada . You don't really know where the bar ends ! :)
It was another beautiful day here at Kalani..........I hope to do a study of the different plants and flowers here.Its just after 10:00 p.m. and has started to rain. It rains heavily through the night , into the early hors of the morning and then is usually beautiful throughout the day.
I'm off to bed . I was on late shift tonight in the kitchen and I am a wee bit tired. All that percussion body slapping for 3 hours this morning and then working the rest of the afternoon into evening . Kami , the Kitchen Manager said to me , " No bruises, Molly ! Don't bruise yourself from all that body percussion ! I can't have you working at Hale Aloha greeting guests with bruises on your body ! Ummm, it won't loom so good.
Yes, I agreed. So far, I'm a bit red still , but no visible bruising ! Fingers crossed !
With much aloha !
x0x0x0x0
Molly
Monday 21 May 2012
Adjusting myself on Life's Yoga Mat / I have been " promoted ! "
Aloha everyone !
Another beautiful hot sunny here at Kalani . Thank goodness for the trade winds . My morning yoga class ( Yin Yoga ) was great ! Periodically , one has to adjust one's body to the different poses . This is what we need to do frequently within our own Lives , the constant adjustments , hence , my blog title ' adjusting myself on Life ' s yoga mat . I have yet to cover myself with a blanket during savasana. That would be the end of me if I did , for the warmth / heat would be unbearable for me. We may as well be doing Bikram yoga ( hot yoga ) for it was surely hot enough today in class.
I attended my first Kalani meeting after breakfast today. Every Monday, all the staff and volunteers , along with Richard , all gather together and we sit and talk , and get informed about what is going on at Kalani . It was great too, as Kalani has a witness box. It is a box that you write down something that you witness that was awesome , something that someone did . It is done anonymously and gets read at the meetings . The meeting is also a time to greet and meet the new volunteers. I go lei'd this morning , welcomed as a new volunteer ! :)
Right after the Kalani meeting there was a kitchen meeting. Well, I was kinda in la la land and went back to my loft , thinking about what I wanted to do with my day after yoga. I thought I'd better go and double check my week's schedule , so I headed back up to the Dining Lanai . On the way there, I was reminded that I had missed the kitchen meeting by approx 6 people , to my absolute horror . I had totally forgotten about the kitchen meeting ! :( Yes, 6 different people told me . You can't hide here at Kalani. Everyone knows everything. Its called the palm tree telephone poles. The palm trees have ears , and as the trade wind passes through their swaying branches , any secrets or discussions are carried around Kalani ........ Seriously though, there are no palm tree telephone poles , I am just figuratively speaking .
After lunch , I was just sitting around the Lanai , sipping my ice tea when Kami asked me to stick around as she wanted to ask me something. Kami is the Kitchen Manager . Kami asked me if I wanted to work at Hale Aloha , which is the first building as you come into Kalani , and is also the reception building . She said, " In your short career here at Kalani ( she made me laugh as I have had only 2 shifts ) I would like to offer you another position . So, folks, yes, I have been ' promoted ' ! I will be preparing food for the reception area and doing a bit of reception for the guests . It is primarily sandwiches and stuff , but I know its going to be fun. I will make a fine receptionist/ greeter ! :) People already think I am local , so the guests will feel that they are getting the full Aloha experience ! :) There is only a couple of us doing this. I still want to be part of the big kitchen as I want to learn all aspects of its operation . So, training starts this week for me !!!!! :)
I have dinner duty tomorrow and my shift starts at 1:30 p.m. I have already planned my day for tomorrow. I will do a morning yoga class at 6:30 - 7:45 a.m. , have breakfast at 8:00 , go to TranZendance at 8:45 - 10:00 , take a Kundalini yoga class at 10:30 to 11:30 , shower , go for lunch at 12:00 , relax a bit and then start my kitchen shift at 1:30 to 8:30 , and then dash off to hula class at 8:30 to 10:00.........It will be a very full day tomorrow !
There is Hawaiian studies tonight on Hawaii music and instruments which I will be going to. On Friday, there is a band called " Medicine for the People " that is playing at Puna Music Fest in Puna and I'm going to that too ! On Saturday ( May 26th ) there will be a concert with a well known and loved singer , Kalnani Kahaunaele , ( I hope I spelled her name right ) and I am going to that too ! The week will go by incredibly fast . Puna Music Fest lasts for 9 days . I am so lucky to experience and enjoy this , to be part of the Hawaiian Ohana .
Its early afternoon and I think I will go take a nap on the hammock . Its too hot in the painting shed to paint.
Have an awesome week,everyone !
With much aloha , Namaste , Shanti......
x0x0x0x0
Molly
Another beautiful hot sunny here at Kalani . Thank goodness for the trade winds . My morning yoga class ( Yin Yoga ) was great ! Periodically , one has to adjust one's body to the different poses . This is what we need to do frequently within our own Lives , the constant adjustments , hence , my blog title ' adjusting myself on Life ' s yoga mat . I have yet to cover myself with a blanket during savasana. That would be the end of me if I did , for the warmth / heat would be unbearable for me. We may as well be doing Bikram yoga ( hot yoga ) for it was surely hot enough today in class.
I attended my first Kalani meeting after breakfast today. Every Monday, all the staff and volunteers , along with Richard , all gather together and we sit and talk , and get informed about what is going on at Kalani . It was great too, as Kalani has a witness box. It is a box that you write down something that you witness that was awesome , something that someone did . It is done anonymously and gets read at the meetings . The meeting is also a time to greet and meet the new volunteers. I go lei'd this morning , welcomed as a new volunteer ! :)
Right after the Kalani meeting there was a kitchen meeting. Well, I was kinda in la la land and went back to my loft , thinking about what I wanted to do with my day after yoga. I thought I'd better go and double check my week's schedule , so I headed back up to the Dining Lanai . On the way there, I was reminded that I had missed the kitchen meeting by approx 6 people , to my absolute horror . I had totally forgotten about the kitchen meeting ! :( Yes, 6 different people told me . You can't hide here at Kalani. Everyone knows everything. Its called the palm tree telephone poles. The palm trees have ears , and as the trade wind passes through their swaying branches , any secrets or discussions are carried around Kalani ........ Seriously though, there are no palm tree telephone poles , I am just figuratively speaking .
After lunch , I was just sitting around the Lanai , sipping my ice tea when Kami asked me to stick around as she wanted to ask me something. Kami is the Kitchen Manager . Kami asked me if I wanted to work at Hale Aloha , which is the first building as you come into Kalani , and is also the reception building . She said, " In your short career here at Kalani ( she made me laugh as I have had only 2 shifts ) I would like to offer you another position . So, folks, yes, I have been ' promoted ' ! I will be preparing food for the reception area and doing a bit of reception for the guests . It is primarily sandwiches and stuff , but I know its going to be fun. I will make a fine receptionist/ greeter ! :) People already think I am local , so the guests will feel that they are getting the full Aloha experience ! :) There is only a couple of us doing this. I still want to be part of the big kitchen as I want to learn all aspects of its operation . So, training starts this week for me !!!!! :)
I have dinner duty tomorrow and my shift starts at 1:30 p.m. I have already planned my day for tomorrow. I will do a morning yoga class at 6:30 - 7:45 a.m. , have breakfast at 8:00 , go to TranZendance at 8:45 - 10:00 , take a Kundalini yoga class at 10:30 to 11:30 , shower , go for lunch at 12:00 , relax a bit and then start my kitchen shift at 1:30 to 8:30 , and then dash off to hula class at 8:30 to 10:00.........It will be a very full day tomorrow !
There is Hawaiian studies tonight on Hawaii music and instruments which I will be going to. On Friday, there is a band called " Medicine for the People " that is playing at Puna Music Fest in Puna and I'm going to that too ! On Saturday ( May 26th ) there will be a concert with a well known and loved singer , Kalnani Kahaunaele , ( I hope I spelled her name right ) and I am going to that too ! The week will go by incredibly fast . Puna Music Fest lasts for 9 days . I am so lucky to experience and enjoy this , to be part of the Hawaiian Ohana .
Its early afternoon and I think I will go take a nap on the hammock . Its too hot in the painting shed to paint.
Have an awesome week,everyone !
With much aloha , Namaste , Shanti......
x0x0x0x0
Molly
Sunday 20 May 2012
censored : balls / and Puna Music Fest
Aloha everyone !
Before you go ahead reading , please be advised that there is some ' adult ' content in this particular blog . Nothing bad, but well, you're know what I mean. I will be talking about balls. Two kinds , in fact.
I was on breakfast and lunch duty today. I had so much fun ! It was quite the contrast to my first shift . It is though, after all, what you make of it. Human dynamics play a huge role too. I am not a serious person and if you know me personally, you know I laugh a lot. I was not relegated to mincing and slicing onions by hand and peeling beets , as I was on my first shift . That was absolutely aweful as it did not use any of my skills. Those, I will say even before I have the ' full ' experience, are two of the worst jobs that anyone can be assigned to . Even peeling potatoes are better. If I was a shift leader, I would not assigned these two duties to the same person , on the same shift . But, that's me. I stunk of raw onions and had to wash my clothes after the shift . I am a very good in mincing veggies. I did a mirepoix for the chef.
I did a bit of everything today. My shift started at 6:00 a.m. and ended at 1:30 p.m.. AS you may or may not know, there are chefs here and they do the main stuff. What I am a part of right now is the prep work . We made meatball subs today for lunch and they were amazing ! The ' balls ' were HUGE ! I don;t have big hands , so it may not be a good comparison , the the individual meatballs are slightly smaller than my fist . We had long baguettes that were cut almost through , and the meatballs were placed inside the baguettes , with marinara sauce poured over top and then covered with provolone cheese , and then baked . It was a real man pleaser !
A real meat lovers pleasure ! The vegetarian meals that is sometimes served don't go over well with most of the guys. It was so yummy ! Sherry, the cook, also make spinach pie . Everyday , there is a huge assortment of salads with each meal . I learned about a new fruit today. It is quite large , light brown in colour , is hairy like a kiwi , and is in the shape of a giant papaya . Its flesh is pinkish red and has the texture of avocado and tastes like a cross between a papaya and a avocado. It is called a saputo . A very interesting fruit indeed !
O.k. second balls. the first balls were mentioned above. I believe I wrote about going to figure drawing yesterday. We went to Arthur Johnsen' beautiful home for the figure drawing. Arthur Johnson is apparently the best artist on the Big Island and Hawaii . He has a big gallery in downtown Hilo. Go figure that I went to his home, huh ? I like Arthur Johnsen's work . Richard Koob ( owner of Kalani ) paints like Arthur Johnsen . They have the same style and use similar colours. I like Richard's wotk too. We drew from a live model for 3 hours, and the time went really fast. He was a fine male specimen and we will leave it at that . I work with him , but that is very separated from this. O.K., the balls. Well, it was very hot , and I am only talking about the beautiful spacious room that we were in , as to the hotness . The room had so much beautiful natural sunlight . Well, anyways, it was so hot that sweat dripped from the model's balls . What balls, some of you may ask . His testicles . It really puts a new meaning for me when guys say that they have sweaty balls now ! Really . Sweat dripped off his balls and he had to go and freshen up before other certain places also dripped sweat , which it did. Time to change the subject. I asked him if it was o.k for him if I put. my sketches of him on the wall beside my bed , and he thought that it was great ! : ) I have a large space of damaged drywall on the wall beside my bed. My bed is against this wall. Well now, There are two large male nude sketches there to cover this up.
After shift today, I spent the entire afternoon at the Puna Music Fest which was happening at Pohi'iki Beach today. Oh, I had so much fun ! It was so amazing ! The beach itself is not a sandy beach but its for surfers. There is a beautiful grassy area where the Music festival took place. The beach was so gorgeous . I sat there for a while watching the surfers. It was another incredible sunny day . The closing act was so GREAT ! Look up Paula Fuga. She has an amazing voice and I love her lyrics . She puts a bit of everything in her music. There are undertones of reggae . Michael Love ( I think that;s his name ) was also amazing too. He sang with Paula Fuga . They were magic together. Both are incredible lyricists.. It was such a great family event . Children were running around, dancing . I ate an yummy frozen cappucino cheesecake on a stick. Richard ( he owns Kalani ) asked me what I was eating and I gave him a bite. It was so yummy ! I can market this back home ! :) Yesterday Cailen shared his ice cream with me . He is so very funny.
At the festival , there was a Dad dancing with his daughter , who was about 8 years old. She had purple hair. When the Dad's hands were up in the air , dancing, you could see that his hands were purple ! : ) That warmed my heart as I knew then that Daddy dyed his daughter's hair , probably with grape Koolaid ! Yes, you can dye your hair with Koolaid ! You can also dye fabric with Koolaid !
Oh, and the babies were so very adorable , bopping to the music on their tiny bowed legs , waddling along in their diapered shorts that reached past their knees .
I was told that there is a city bus that comes by Kalani and it will take me to Hilo. It comes only twice a day. Apparently , it takes 5 hours on the City bus to get to Hilo from Kalani , which is probably quite an exaggeration . Hilo is a 50 minute drive from Kalani . I am told that the bus ride will be an experience I will never forget, and onece done, will not be repeated ! I think it will eb quite an adventure to take this bus next week and make a trip to Hilo. The cost is only 1.00 each way. I will make a day trip out of it !
I have a circle of protection around me. There are people here that are protecting me. I have not been here for a full week yet and already I know I have made some Life long friends.
There is an Arts Festival happening in July . Perhaps I will put some of my paintings in their Art Show.
At Puna Music Festival, one of the groups sang " How Great Thou Art ! " in Hawaiian. . " How Great Thou Art " is my favourite hymn . A dancer hula'd to this. It was so very beautiful .
I feel so incrediby incredibly blessed . We do not live in a perfect world . I have bugs and geckos in my room . I share a bathroom with at least 6 people , sometimes even more . That being said , I love Kalani . I feel a very strong connection to Kalani . Kalani is truly my home for the next 3 months.......
With much Aloha,
Namaste........Shanti.....
x0x0x0x0
Molly
Saturday 19 May 2012
A New Day
Aloha !
Its early afternoon and scorchingly hot and sunny outside . It rains heavy during the night , and then the sun comes out all day , most days. It is really beautiful and lush here.
Everyday, I have my steel oats with maple yogurt , 1 tsp of cinnamon and a spoon of brown sugar . My plate at breakfast is loaded with fresh fruits . I eat at least 1 whole papaya a day , sometimes 2 papayas.
I missed Restorative Yoga today as it coincided with figure drawing. I was told that the 2 hour restorative yoga class only had 4 poses. In some classes, I do non-stop planks and downward dogs. Cathy , who teaches the class is very funny . Some of the yoga classes are really challenging .
We went to a local artist's beautiful home and drew from a live model for 3 hours. The 3 hours went by so quickly . There is no yoga scheduled for the rest of the day as Kalani is preparing for the Puna Music Festival that starts tonight and goes on for about a week. So, tonight, I am going to a concert ! The tickets tonight is regularly 35.00 but for volunteers, its 10 buckeroos ! :) I met a couple from Vancouver today at lunch ! They are guests here and are on their honeymoon . Only been married for a week , and as the bride said, " We're still together ! :) "
There is a tree swing near the Lanai where we eat our meals . After lunch, I went to the swing with my ice coffee and just daydreamed........what a luxury to have this kind of time to just SIMPLY BE .
In spite of the current blackness within my confined sleeping environment , I feel that I am the luckiest girl in the world ! Beth saged my room while I was away to figure drawing. She will do so again , in 2 weeks time , to clear every darkness , every possible negative energy out of every corner . I can deal with living within the darkness for another 2 weeks. I am the Light in the Darkness. Its been a very long time since I have felt such darkness emanating so strongly and so powerfully from someone. Deep , deep inside, I think that there may still be some light within that person.
The singing bowl sang sweetly when it was over my bed , my only space , in two part harmony......I apparently have a double vibration.......I am fascinated . I definitely want to be present when my room gets the burning sage treatment again . The hawk feather fan that Beth uses in the ceremony is beautiful .
To paint or not to paint , that is the question right now . I have a free day and will work again tomorrow in the kitchen at 6:00 a.m.
I have left a beautiful thought for all of you , at the Point at Kalani , on the tree swing overlooking the ocean surf.........I think I will go there and do some ice cream therapy right now !
Namaste....
Aloha,
xoxoxoxo
Molly
Its early afternoon and scorchingly hot and sunny outside . It rains heavy during the night , and then the sun comes out all day , most days. It is really beautiful and lush here.
Everyday, I have my steel oats with maple yogurt , 1 tsp of cinnamon and a spoon of brown sugar . My plate at breakfast is loaded with fresh fruits . I eat at least 1 whole papaya a day , sometimes 2 papayas.
I missed Restorative Yoga today as it coincided with figure drawing. I was told that the 2 hour restorative yoga class only had 4 poses. In some classes, I do non-stop planks and downward dogs. Cathy , who teaches the class is very funny . Some of the yoga classes are really challenging .
We went to a local artist's beautiful home and drew from a live model for 3 hours. The 3 hours went by so quickly . There is no yoga scheduled for the rest of the day as Kalani is preparing for the Puna Music Festival that starts tonight and goes on for about a week. So, tonight, I am going to a concert ! The tickets tonight is regularly 35.00 but for volunteers, its 10 buckeroos ! :) I met a couple from Vancouver today at lunch ! They are guests here and are on their honeymoon . Only been married for a week , and as the bride said, " We're still together ! :) "
There is a tree swing near the Lanai where we eat our meals . After lunch, I went to the swing with my ice coffee and just daydreamed........what a luxury to have this kind of time to just SIMPLY BE .
In spite of the current blackness within my confined sleeping environment , I feel that I am the luckiest girl in the world ! Beth saged my room while I was away to figure drawing. She will do so again , in 2 weeks time , to clear every darkness , every possible negative energy out of every corner . I can deal with living within the darkness for another 2 weeks. I am the Light in the Darkness. Its been a very long time since I have felt such darkness emanating so strongly and so powerfully from someone. Deep , deep inside, I think that there may still be some light within that person.
The singing bowl sang sweetly when it was over my bed , my only space , in two part harmony......I apparently have a double vibration.......I am fascinated . I definitely want to be present when my room gets the burning sage treatment again . The hawk feather fan that Beth uses in the ceremony is beautiful .
To paint or not to paint , that is the question right now . I have a free day and will work again tomorrow in the kitchen at 6:00 a.m.
I have left a beautiful thought for all of you , at the Point at Kalani , on the tree swing overlooking the ocean surf.........I think I will go there and do some ice cream therapy right now !
Namaste....
Aloha,
xoxoxoxo
Molly
Yes, Yes, and YES !!!!!!!!
Friday, May, 18th, 2012
Yesterday, it rained most of the day. I spent the afternoon painting what I sketched . It was the view of the volcanic cliffside seashore , as viewed steps away from the tree swing at the Point. It was the first time I painted from a rough sketch . I usually paint from pictures / photographs. I am happy with the painting, with it being the first done at Kalani . The volunteers here think its beautiful , and one of the staff wants to buy it. He also wanted me to paint him another one, only this time, to paint him into the scene. I am looking forward to doing figure drawing with Richard Koob tomorrow ( sat ) . Apparently, it will be done off site at an artist studio and I am to bring 10.00 to pay towards a live model. While I was painting in the painting shed , two of the volunteers came in and was practicing a song that they were going to sing on Open Mic Night , here at Kalani. They were singing a song called " The Littlest Bird Sings the prettiest Song . " It is a lovely song. They were practicing in two part harmony and it sounded really nice. I do agree , the littlest birds do sing the prettier songs . Its mostly the big birds that can't seem to carry a tune but squawk.
I took some great pictures of Lauren at the Point. He's another of them younguns' . He found a big white sunhat several days ago , and he wore it for several days, decorating it with flowers, leaves, anything he could find. The sunhat looked really good . He's got quite the flair . Lauren was sitting at the edge of the Point , in a yoga pose , meditating , completely centered and at peace.......the ocean surf was crashing up the cliff side in front of him . I took several pictures of him . He was totally unaware that I was there as I was quite a distance from him and I used the zoom lens on my camera . He is staying for 3 months too, like me, and I hope to print off some of the pictures for him.
Today was my first day of my volunteer kitchen shift. Talk about a frenetic pace. There was seven of us on Shift. The shift was from 1:30 to 8:30 and it was pretty much non stop . One was the chef , and the other was I guess he is the ' pastry ' chef. At least , he did the baking. Actually there were several others too but they were making food for the front guest arrival area . The entire meal was vegetarian and vegan . the main course was a vegetarian moussaka . It was really good. I haven't made moussaka in years .
Well, as being the ' newest ' in the kitchen , I got to mince onions by hand . Lots of them. As I expected but did not want, I was given all the crap stuff to do that no one else wanted to do , such as peeling beets and mincing onions , and celery by hand. At least, the beets were put through the robocutter, I think its called. Its basically a food processor.Almost all of the food is organic , with some grown here at Kalani .
I also served the dinner to staff and guests. It was a good way of me meeting the rest of the crew. Basically, its cafeteria style with me serving them all the hot foods , and then the guests and volunteers/ staff serve the salads themselves.
When I was serving one of the guests , I said , ' Aloha ! Which would you like ? " indicating to the hot food . He looked coyly at me and said, " Yes, yes, and YES , just like sex !!!!!! I could feel the colour of my face turning red , however, I said , " Well, that's a first . " He said, " Surely, you have heard that ? " " Not here while I am serving food to the guests at Kalani, I haven't ! " It was funny . He thought he would leave me speechless . One of the volunteers said that I looked great. He's gotta be joking. I am hot and sweaty , my hair is plastered under my bandana , and I look great ?
Beth is helping me clear my space with a singing bowl.........I was very heartbroken yesterday from an incident . I was so upset that I was shaking.........Where there was really bad energy , the bowl did not sing . The only place that it sang was over my bed. " MY, God, you are only given your bed space ! " she said . That is true . She will sage my living space tomorrow . I have never seen a singing bowl and it was the first time I saw it in action. IT really works. Where there is bad energy, it does not sing........Over my bed, where my only space is, it sang .......
I cried today at savasana .......I took 2 yoga classes back to back this morning before my shift. During the first yoga class, my mind wandered all over the place, processing the negative stuff that has happened to me since the night that I arrived. It really broke my heart......On the second yoga class , during savasana, I cried . The tears just streamed down my face as I was laying there. I felt so embarrassed . It was at that point that I took control of the situation and refused to let someone hurt me anymore. I took my power back. Two more weeks , I can do this.
All is not well in paradise, but I do very much love it here. Two more weeks. I can do this for there is an end in sight. The singing bowl. Wow . Within my room, the only place it sings is over my bed where I sleep . For tonight only, I will have the room all to myself. I know I will sleep well. Beth has cleared all the bad and negative energy out of my room for now, until the negative energy comes back into the room tomorrow.
I love Beth. I am so glad that she is my friend and is such a wonderful listening ear. She is willing to fight for me. This is one battle that I will fight myself. I will also win the war. Two more weeks ......I am counting the days.
My room will be saged tomorrow with hawk feathers.....
Peace. Love, Aloha......
Namaste.....
x0x0x0x0x0
Molly
Thursday 17 May 2012
A New Earth / The smack down at Kalani ! :)
It was raining hard last night. Today is hot, humid, overcast with a few sunny periods. I am off to the painting shed in a few minutes . I was at the Point in Kalani this morning and spent an hour sketching the volcanic coastline . It is so very beautiful. I will be going in a few minutes to paint from the sketch . The view is steps away from the tree swing where I know I will be visiting frequently , doing my ice cream therapy ! :) They sell home made ice cream here and it looks really yummy and I have yet to buy some , but I will soon !
I will start working in the kitchen tomorrow. " D " came by at breakfast and told me that the entire kitchen is talking about me and are very excited for me to start . They know of my extensive cooking and management experience . Yes, I am a legend before I even start !
Last night , we went to view the lava flow. We actually didn't go to a volcano , but viewed the flow from 3 miles away , at a place called " End of the road. " We stood on virgin land......newly created from the lava flow that went through the area a year and a half ago . A new earth . Where I stood to view the lava flow was created Jan , 2011 . Its mind boggling and humbling at the same time. Yes, a new earth , in more ways than one. As the sun went down, the red glow and the line of the lava increased . People have built houses on this new earth , this black hardened lava . Pourquoi ? You can't run electricity . Septic tank ? Don't think so ....Its like camping in a house. And there are some nice houses , or at least, the facade.. Kinda like some people . .Property taxes are 25.00 a year. Yes, you read right, 25.00 a year .
I met a new friend last night when we went to the lava viewing. Newly arrived to Kalani for a mere 3 hours . His name, if I remembered correctly, is Cailen . He was such a sweetheart. He asked how old I was. " Are you 36 , 37 ? " he asked. I laughed. " If you say so ! I like you a lot already ! " " I'm 24, you're 36 , we are going to be best friends ! " " Yes, we are going to be best friends ! " I agreed . He helped me down the steep rocky lava patch that we were standing on to view the lava flow . It was very dark out as it was already past sundown and my eyes do not see so well in the dark anymore. Dang nab it , I can barely read the combination on my lock for my locker ! :( I know Cailen will make lots of friends. He made me laugh as he was helping someone hold something in his hand ( I couldn't see what it was as it was dark ) and he also had his water bottle between his thighs as his hands were full. " Molly, I am multi-tasking. I am excercising my thighs and also my kegels at the same time ! " Oh, he ws so funny. And then " D " ( his alias , but his real name is Donald, or so her says ) said on the van ride to the flow flow viewing , " Don't you just hate it when your own booger lands on you ? " He just said it out of the blue and I'm thinking , did that just happen to him ? No, I don't want to ask. EeeeWWWWW !!!! I shook my head and laughed. Yes, that is the quality of some of the conversations here. I've had some very deep conversations already too. I was telling " D " about my yogalates class yesterday . " She sounds like a Pilates Nazi " he said. " Ummmm, you better not say that to her as she is German " I advised him. " OOOOOps, thanks for letting me know ! "
This morning's yoga class at 8:30 was wonderful.. It was taught by Kathy , and she has taught yoga for 35 years. She was funny . We held most of the poses for 3 minutes each. Some of those 3 minutes were some of the longest 3 minutes of my Life. :( She went over the chakras . " The chakras are not organs. You don' t cut someone open and step back and say, " Wow, see those chakras ! " She was very funny . At the end of the class, we gave ourselves what she called a smack down. You smack yourself all over. It feels good, actually , same as yesterday's slap down , only this time, you do it to yourself ! So, you smack you body all over ! :) Lovingly, of course ! I fell off Lisa's back yesterday when I was doing partner yoga. It was very funny , and I was laughing so much that I could not get back on her back to finish the pose . I was balancing on her back , and she was down on all fours.
So, my Life is getting a complete smack down , in every which way . It is gently raining right now .
Yesterday, I stood on New Earth . Today , is the first day, of the rest of my Life.........new beginnings.....
I am off to paint !
Namaste ......Aloha .....Carpe Diem ......
x0x0x0x0
Molly
I will start working in the kitchen tomorrow. " D " came by at breakfast and told me that the entire kitchen is talking about me and are very excited for me to start . They know of my extensive cooking and management experience . Yes, I am a legend before I even start !
Last night , we went to view the lava flow. We actually didn't go to a volcano , but viewed the flow from 3 miles away , at a place called " End of the road. " We stood on virgin land......newly created from the lava flow that went through the area a year and a half ago . A new earth . Where I stood to view the lava flow was created Jan , 2011 . Its mind boggling and humbling at the same time. Yes, a new earth , in more ways than one. As the sun went down, the red glow and the line of the lava increased . People have built houses on this new earth , this black hardened lava . Pourquoi ? You can't run electricity . Septic tank ? Don't think so ....Its like camping in a house. And there are some nice houses , or at least, the facade.. Kinda like some people . .Property taxes are 25.00 a year. Yes, you read right, 25.00 a year .
I met a new friend last night when we went to the lava viewing. Newly arrived to Kalani for a mere 3 hours . His name, if I remembered correctly, is Cailen . He was such a sweetheart. He asked how old I was. " Are you 36 , 37 ? " he asked. I laughed. " If you say so ! I like you a lot already ! " " I'm 24, you're 36 , we are going to be best friends ! " " Yes, we are going to be best friends ! " I agreed . He helped me down the steep rocky lava patch that we were standing on to view the lava flow . It was very dark out as it was already past sundown and my eyes do not see so well in the dark anymore. Dang nab it , I can barely read the combination on my lock for my locker ! :( I know Cailen will make lots of friends. He made me laugh as he was helping someone hold something in his hand ( I couldn't see what it was as it was dark ) and he also had his water bottle between his thighs as his hands were full. " Molly, I am multi-tasking. I am excercising my thighs and also my kegels at the same time ! " Oh, he ws so funny. And then " D " ( his alias , but his real name is Donald, or so her says ) said on the van ride to the flow flow viewing , " Don't you just hate it when your own booger lands on you ? " He just said it out of the blue and I'm thinking , did that just happen to him ? No, I don't want to ask. EeeeWWWWW !!!! I shook my head and laughed. Yes, that is the quality of some of the conversations here. I've had some very deep conversations already too. I was telling " D " about my yogalates class yesterday . " She sounds like a Pilates Nazi " he said. " Ummmm, you better not say that to her as she is German " I advised him. " OOOOOps, thanks for letting me know ! "
This morning's yoga class at 8:30 was wonderful.. It was taught by Kathy , and she has taught yoga for 35 years. She was funny . We held most of the poses for 3 minutes each. Some of those 3 minutes were some of the longest 3 minutes of my Life. :( She went over the chakras . " The chakras are not organs. You don' t cut someone open and step back and say, " Wow, see those chakras ! " She was very funny . At the end of the class, we gave ourselves what she called a smack down. You smack yourself all over. It feels good, actually , same as yesterday's slap down , only this time, you do it to yourself ! So, you smack you body all over ! :) Lovingly, of course ! I fell off Lisa's back yesterday when I was doing partner yoga. It was very funny , and I was laughing so much that I could not get back on her back to finish the pose . I was balancing on her back , and she was down on all fours.
So, my Life is getting a complete smack down , in every which way . It is gently raining right now .
Yesterday, I stood on New Earth . Today , is the first day, of the rest of my Life.........new beginnings.....
I am off to paint !
Namaste ......Aloha .....Carpe Diem ......
x0x0x0x0
Molly
Wednesday 16 May 2012
getting slapped at Kalani :)
Aloha !
It rained all last night . The heavy rain didn't help shut out the symphony that the coqui frogs were playing all night. Boy, were they ever loud ! So every night, as soon as the sun sets , you hear one, and then the whole family and extended family and all their friends join in , croaking all night , LOUDLY . Think of a bird that sits at your window sill , early morn , singing its heart out , multiply that sound ten fold , and you will have a small inking of what I mean. There are thousands here. I mean literally thousands , so you can imagine what nighttime is like. AS soon as the sun rises, they stop. Then the birds start their singing , right at the crack of dawn , and they sing for about an hour , ending usually around 6:15 or 6:30 . Then silence. I'm not complaining, just saying, that's all ! :)
It was another gorgeous sunny day today and the heat increased steadily throughout the day . So far, the nights have been really cool and I have to use a blanket at nights. It is sweltering in the loft where I am staying I had my kitchen orientation today and I don't start my volunteer work until Friday, so I have a few more days off still . I met Keala today. Nice kid Probably in his early 20's . His name means straight path in Hawaiian. He was born in Hilo and was named by a Hawaiian woman, in the old tradition. His name is really really long, but somewhere in his many names and even more syllables was the name ' Forrest ' thrown into it. I lost track of counting the syllables in his full given name and we were both laughing as he has nevered actually counted the syllables. So, a straight path through the Forrest ! His parents threw in Forrest. Everyone teases him, of course, as immediately , they say as in , " Forrest Gump ? " He lovers music and loves to write songs. Puna Music Festival is happening at Kalani and throughout Puna , and there is a song writing class next week. I told him to put in his kitchen request for change of shift as I am most willing to change with him so that he could go to the class. In fact, anything that he was interested in , and he was on shift, I am more than willing to change my shift with him. It is his passion and he should be able to do what he LOVES . I believe that is his right here at Kalani. I told him that was one of the reasons that he is here , to be able to attend a song writing class. He didn't know about the class prior to coming to Kalani.
So, today, I did a meridian tapping class. It was most interesting. Healing by affirmations and tapping on the meridian parts of the body, similar to acupuncture. And then right after that, I did a yoglates class. It is a combination of yoga and pilates, but most pilates with this instructor. She was amazing but crapola it was a really tough class and the class had difficulty keeping up with her . At the end of the class, we did partner yoga. Hmmmmm....that was very interesting and I woild not describe it right now. Put it this way, there is a position in aprner yoga called " wag the dog." Use your imagination. At the very end of the class, we slapped each other. Yes, you read it right ! WE slapped each other ! We all laughed so hard. One of us lays face down on the yoga mat and the entire class is on either side of you, and they all start slapping your body all over ! You can have it soft, or you can have it hard ! We did the instructor last. One of the yogalates participants said under her breath , " this is for all the torture you put us through ! " It was really funny . It actually felt really neat getting slapped all over your body by many hands , from the soles of your feet to your shoulders , and someone massages your head. This definitely was a first for me ! Yes, I got slapped around at Kalani and loved it ! :) What can I say ? :)
Dis two hula classes yesterday . There is a likelihood of performing here at Kalani but I don't know if I can continue with the hula classes as it is after sundown, and it is really scary walking back to my loft through the jungle, in the DARK......Scheisse , I feel like Hansel and Gretel , lost in the dark forest , only this is the Hawaiian jungle. It is really scary looking , and as you all know, I have a very active imagination, so that really does not help me . Amber walked back with me last night, so it was o.k. I was in the front row of the hula class and one of the persons in the front row messed up. Jonathan, the kumu ( hula teacher ) said to her, " YOU , go to the back of the class . You messed up and lead the class to do the wrong thing. ! " That really put me on my toes not to mess up the choreography . He let me stay for his advance class , and smiled the whole time.
Oh, and lets just say that one of the instructors was taking a leak and I walked in on him. Well, hello, lock the damn door. No, there was no little man on the door. It was for both male/ female use. It was kinda funny. I didn't see anything, he just had his pants down a bit , but I heard it.
Will be heading off in a few hours to view the lava flow of the volcano. Sorry, can't remember off the top of my head the name of the volcano.
The first night, as I was being driven in from Hilo to Kalani , the big dipper was literally sitting on the road in front of us. The stars were HUGE and I could see hundreds and hundreds of stars in the night sky . It was as if someone lit thousands of Christmas lights in the night sky......truly a beautiful sight.
So, with the meridian tapping, I am drawing or painting my dream circle , my dream bubble......something that will remind me at will what my intentions are, what I wish for , what I really need , and what I desire.......
And so it goes out into the Universe ........already, some of this is happening........
with much aloha to all of you !
x0x0x0x0
Molly
It rained all last night . The heavy rain didn't help shut out the symphony that the coqui frogs were playing all night. Boy, were they ever loud ! So every night, as soon as the sun sets , you hear one, and then the whole family and extended family and all their friends join in , croaking all night , LOUDLY . Think of a bird that sits at your window sill , early morn , singing its heart out , multiply that sound ten fold , and you will have a small inking of what I mean. There are thousands here. I mean literally thousands , so you can imagine what nighttime is like. AS soon as the sun rises, they stop. Then the birds start their singing , right at the crack of dawn , and they sing for about an hour , ending usually around 6:15 or 6:30 . Then silence. I'm not complaining, just saying, that's all ! :)
It was another gorgeous sunny day today and the heat increased steadily throughout the day . So far, the nights have been really cool and I have to use a blanket at nights. It is sweltering in the loft where I am staying I had my kitchen orientation today and I don't start my volunteer work until Friday, so I have a few more days off still . I met Keala today. Nice kid Probably in his early 20's . His name means straight path in Hawaiian. He was born in Hilo and was named by a Hawaiian woman, in the old tradition. His name is really really long, but somewhere in his many names and even more syllables was the name ' Forrest ' thrown into it. I lost track of counting the syllables in his full given name and we were both laughing as he has nevered actually counted the syllables. So, a straight path through the Forrest ! His parents threw in Forrest. Everyone teases him, of course, as immediately , they say as in , " Forrest Gump ? " He lovers music and loves to write songs. Puna Music Festival is happening at Kalani and throughout Puna , and there is a song writing class next week. I told him to put in his kitchen request for change of shift as I am most willing to change with him so that he could go to the class. In fact, anything that he was interested in , and he was on shift, I am more than willing to change my shift with him. It is his passion and he should be able to do what he LOVES . I believe that is his right here at Kalani. I told him that was one of the reasons that he is here , to be able to attend a song writing class. He didn't know about the class prior to coming to Kalani.
So, today, I did a meridian tapping class. It was most interesting. Healing by affirmations and tapping on the meridian parts of the body, similar to acupuncture. And then right after that, I did a yoglates class. It is a combination of yoga and pilates, but most pilates with this instructor. She was amazing but crapola it was a really tough class and the class had difficulty keeping up with her . At the end of the class, we did partner yoga. Hmmmmm....that was very interesting and I woild not describe it right now. Put it this way, there is a position in aprner yoga called " wag the dog." Use your imagination. At the very end of the class, we slapped each other. Yes, you read it right ! WE slapped each other ! We all laughed so hard. One of us lays face down on the yoga mat and the entire class is on either side of you, and they all start slapping your body all over ! You can have it soft, or you can have it hard ! We did the instructor last. One of the yogalates participants said under her breath , " this is for all the torture you put us through ! " It was really funny . It actually felt really neat getting slapped all over your body by many hands , from the soles of your feet to your shoulders , and someone massages your head. This definitely was a first for me ! Yes, I got slapped around at Kalani and loved it ! :) What can I say ? :)
Dis two hula classes yesterday . There is a likelihood of performing here at Kalani but I don't know if I can continue with the hula classes as it is after sundown, and it is really scary walking back to my loft through the jungle, in the DARK......Scheisse , I feel like Hansel and Gretel , lost in the dark forest , only this is the Hawaiian jungle. It is really scary looking , and as you all know, I have a very active imagination, so that really does not help me . Amber walked back with me last night, so it was o.k. I was in the front row of the hula class and one of the persons in the front row messed up. Jonathan, the kumu ( hula teacher ) said to her, " YOU , go to the back of the class . You messed up and lead the class to do the wrong thing. ! " That really put me on my toes not to mess up the choreography . He let me stay for his advance class , and smiled the whole time.
Oh, and lets just say that one of the instructors was taking a leak and I walked in on him. Well, hello, lock the damn door. No, there was no little man on the door. It was for both male/ female use. It was kinda funny. I didn't see anything, he just had his pants down a bit , but I heard it.
Will be heading off in a few hours to view the lava flow of the volcano. Sorry, can't remember off the top of my head the name of the volcano.
The first night, as I was being driven in from Hilo to Kalani , the big dipper was literally sitting on the road in front of us. The stars were HUGE and I could see hundreds and hundreds of stars in the night sky . It was as if someone lit thousands of Christmas lights in the night sky......truly a beautiful sight.
So, with the meridian tapping, I am drawing or painting my dream circle , my dream bubble......something that will remind me at will what my intentions are, what I wish for , what I really need , and what I desire.......
And so it goes out into the Universe ........already, some of this is happening........
with much aloha to all of you !
x0x0x0x0
Molly
Tuesday 15 May 2012
KUPAIANAHA !!!!!!!
Aloha everyone !
Kupainanaha means incredible , awesome, amazing !!!!!
Kalani is truly kupainanaha !!!!!!!!!!!!
I have arrived to Paradise !!!!!! I arrived at Kalani last night ( Monday, May, 14th ) at approx 10:30 p.m. It was a very long day travelling....... Today is my first full day at Kalani !
My lodging is very basic and simple. The windows are screens , which is just fine by me as it allows the air to flow through. Met my first gecko this morning and it caught me by surprise . There are wild pigs here too and mongoose, but I have not encountered any yet. The grounds that Kalani is on is so very beautiful. There are papaya trees with papayas bigger than the size of a football. Hibiscus and orchids are everywhere . The plumeria trees are just starting to blossom and soon , my paths will be fill with the scent of the plumeria ! Plumeria is of the jasmine family. I love the scent of jasmine !
Had a great yummy breakfast this morning : organic oatmeal with cinnamon and brown sugar , scrambled eggs with broccoli and cheese, apple crisp , and lots of fresh papaya and pineapple !!! And of course, organic Kona coffee ! There were a lot of breakfast food to choose from, and that was my choice this morning.
I had an orientation of the Retreat earlier and will be going for lunch soon. It approx 11:30 , Kalani time, which would be 2:30 Vancouver time. I will get my kitchen orientation tomorrow and will most likely start " working " on Thurs. Tomorrow night, I will be going to visit Pele at night, with my flashlight ......going to the volcano and watch the lava flow in the dark ! Wow !!!
Will be going to a yoga class later today , and also a hula class tonight ! And, there is bellydancing on Sunday , so I bought a belly dance hip scarf at the gift shop a few moments ago.! You have to shimmy with a hip scarf ! Its not the same without it. I am so excited that there is belly dance here ! I think I like belly-dancing more that hula .
I went to the Point at Kalani and the view brought tears to my eyes, it was / is so beautiful .....I have arrived HOME . I sat on the tree swing and watched the ocean surf , taking away all my worries and cares away . The view was kupainanaha !!!! I was at complete peace.
It is really hot and sunny today . Thank goodness for the trade winds passing through !
I visited the painting shed and there is a big space for me to lay out all my stuff and paint !!!!!!! There is a figure drawing class on Sundays too that I want to do , but that would depend on my volunteer schedule . The drawing class is taught by Richard Koob, who is one of the founders and owners of Kalani.
There are over 20,000 species of orchids here at Kalani . The big Island of Hawaii is also known as the Orchid Island .
Oh, almost lunch ! Aloha !
Carpe Diem !
x0x0x0x0x0
Molly
Kupainanaha means incredible , awesome, amazing !!!!!
Kalani is truly kupainanaha !!!!!!!!!!!!
I have arrived to Paradise !!!!!! I arrived at Kalani last night ( Monday, May, 14th ) at approx 10:30 p.m. It was a very long day travelling....... Today is my first full day at Kalani !
My lodging is very basic and simple. The windows are screens , which is just fine by me as it allows the air to flow through. Met my first gecko this morning and it caught me by surprise . There are wild pigs here too and mongoose, but I have not encountered any yet. The grounds that Kalani is on is so very beautiful. There are papaya trees with papayas bigger than the size of a football. Hibiscus and orchids are everywhere . The plumeria trees are just starting to blossom and soon , my paths will be fill with the scent of the plumeria ! Plumeria is of the jasmine family. I love the scent of jasmine !
Had a great yummy breakfast this morning : organic oatmeal with cinnamon and brown sugar , scrambled eggs with broccoli and cheese, apple crisp , and lots of fresh papaya and pineapple !!! And of course, organic Kona coffee ! There were a lot of breakfast food to choose from, and that was my choice this morning.
I had an orientation of the Retreat earlier and will be going for lunch soon. It approx 11:30 , Kalani time, which would be 2:30 Vancouver time. I will get my kitchen orientation tomorrow and will most likely start " working " on Thurs. Tomorrow night, I will be going to visit Pele at night, with my flashlight ......going to the volcano and watch the lava flow in the dark ! Wow !!!
Will be going to a yoga class later today , and also a hula class tonight ! And, there is bellydancing on Sunday , so I bought a belly dance hip scarf at the gift shop a few moments ago.! You have to shimmy with a hip scarf ! Its not the same without it. I am so excited that there is belly dance here ! I think I like belly-dancing more that hula .
I went to the Point at Kalani and the view brought tears to my eyes, it was / is so beautiful .....I have arrived HOME . I sat on the tree swing and watched the ocean surf , taking away all my worries and cares away . The view was kupainanaha !!!! I was at complete peace.
It is really hot and sunny today . Thank goodness for the trade winds passing through !
I visited the painting shed and there is a big space for me to lay out all my stuff and paint !!!!!!! There is a figure drawing class on Sundays too that I want to do , but that would depend on my volunteer schedule . The drawing class is taught by Richard Koob, who is one of the founders and owners of Kalani.
There are over 20,000 species of orchids here at Kalani . The big Island of Hawaii is also known as the Orchid Island .
Oh, almost lunch ! Aloha !
Carpe Diem !
x0x0x0x0x0
Molly
Tuesday 8 May 2012
Freeze frame ...." Sometimes rain that's needed falls...."
Aloha !
" Sometimes rain that's needed falls " ...... from the song " Painting By Chagall " written and sung by The Weepies. Marc Chagall . Love his paintings . Love his colours. ....words from the song : " Thunder rumbles, from a distance, a quiet intensity . " " We make hope from every small disaster. " The Weepies wrote a great song about Chagall. This song puts me in a dreamlike state .
Yes, " we make hope from every small disaster " . I have been doing this all my Life. For 33 years, almost everyday was a small disaster. If it wasn't a small disaster, it was building up to a bigger disaster. It helped me build character. It made me who I am today. For better or for worse.
Aug 2011 was a momentous month for me . Many changes . It was fitful that on the flight back from Beijing to Vancouver,I heard the song " Same Changes " sung by the Weepies. I discovered the Weepies that day. I love them. I was watching the in flight movie, Morning Glory and this song came on. Morning Glory was a very good movie and also funny.
" Well I ask, does anything ever stay the same ? No, no, no....Just same , changes " Yes, same , changes. Think about that. There really is no such thing as same, same . The time is different , we are all older .
" Everyday I want to freeze frame. " I freeze frame non stop. I take a picture of everything with my eyes, my mind, my heart and spirit .
Welcome to my world of freeze framing. I share with you some of my pics from Beijing , Aug , 2011 . On Aug 8th , 2011 , I was in Chengde, China and I was interviewed by a local T.V. station for a T.V. segment to be broadcasted later in the evening. They found out that a group of foreign tourists were coming and visiting the Little Potala Palace. Well, I was one of them and they chose me to interview exclusively ! :) This temple was modeled after the Potala Palace in Tibet. I have always wanted to go to Tibet and well, at least , I experienced a bit of it being at the little Potala Palace. Every time I type Potala , I want to type potato , meaning no disrespect whatsoever. There were very few tourists on that day . It was scorching hot . There was tremendous peace while I was there as I wandered around the temple by myself . Aug 8th, 2011 also marked the last day that I was employed by the Bank. I was a Bank retiree !!!!!!! One of the best days of my Life !
Some of the pics were taken on the Great Wall , some viewed through the archway of the watchtowers . You will see what I mean when you see an arc in one of my pics. Some of my pics were taken from inside a tour bus. Its not easy taking pics when the bus is going full speed down a highway ! It has always been a dream to be a photographer for National Geographic. One day, it will happen . I don't like how the cameras nowadays are so complicated . I did just fine for many years with my SLR Yashica FX2 . Unfortunately , the camera didn't fare too well on a horseback trip out into the bush for 5 days. It was strapped to me and took a lot of pounding as I rode on horseback. It would not have fared any better inside the tiny saddlebags. My old manual Yashica FX2 was like an appendage to me. It was an extension of part of me.
So, pics of Beijing , Chengde and towards the end, a few pics that I took at Granville Island a few months ago . The pics of a bicycle bell , a bicycle handle that I was very pleased in how they turned out. And then , there is the pic of heart lights which is really cool. This pic was taken focused on a stain glass ceiling light at Rogers Chocolates in G.I. and then moving my camera around creating the hearts . Its an intuition thing and hard to predict how it will turn out. With practice, of course it gets better. If the intent is there, it will happen. My first time doing this photography method and I am pleased with how it turned out. No photographs have been retouched, manipulated , photo shopped , cropped , etc. What you see is exactly what I saw , and how I freeze framed and captured the moment.
Here's the link to the pics.
https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=f817dc28fefed480&resid=F817DC28FEFED480!553&parid=F817DC28FEFED480!133&authkey=!ABpzl0UOWj0DfVc
Enjoy ! We truly do live in a beautiful world........Five days and counting !!!!!!!! x0x0x0x0
Namaste....Aloha......Carpe Diem !
Molly
" Sometimes rain that's needed falls " ...... from the song " Painting By Chagall " written and sung by The Weepies. Marc Chagall . Love his paintings . Love his colours. ....words from the song : " Thunder rumbles, from a distance, a quiet intensity . " " We make hope from every small disaster. " The Weepies wrote a great song about Chagall. This song puts me in a dreamlike state .
Yes, " we make hope from every small disaster " . I have been doing this all my Life. For 33 years, almost everyday was a small disaster. If it wasn't a small disaster, it was building up to a bigger disaster. It helped me build character. It made me who I am today. For better or for worse.
Aug 2011 was a momentous month for me . Many changes . It was fitful that on the flight back from Beijing to Vancouver,I heard the song " Same Changes " sung by the Weepies. I discovered the Weepies that day. I love them. I was watching the in flight movie, Morning Glory and this song came on. Morning Glory was a very good movie and also funny.
" Well I ask, does anything ever stay the same ? No, no, no....Just same , changes " Yes, same , changes. Think about that. There really is no such thing as same, same . The time is different , we are all older .
" Everyday I want to freeze frame. " I freeze frame non stop. I take a picture of everything with my eyes, my mind, my heart and spirit .
Welcome to my world of freeze framing. I share with you some of my pics from Beijing , Aug , 2011 . On Aug 8th , 2011 , I was in Chengde, China and I was interviewed by a local T.V. station for a T.V. segment to be broadcasted later in the evening. They found out that a group of foreign tourists were coming and visiting the Little Potala Palace. Well, I was one of them and they chose me to interview exclusively ! :) This temple was modeled after the Potala Palace in Tibet. I have always wanted to go to Tibet and well, at least , I experienced a bit of it being at the little Potala Palace. Every time I type Potala , I want to type potato , meaning no disrespect whatsoever. There were very few tourists on that day . It was scorching hot . There was tremendous peace while I was there as I wandered around the temple by myself . Aug 8th, 2011 also marked the last day that I was employed by the Bank. I was a Bank retiree !!!!!!! One of the best days of my Life !
Some of the pics were taken on the Great Wall , some viewed through the archway of the watchtowers . You will see what I mean when you see an arc in one of my pics. Some of my pics were taken from inside a tour bus. Its not easy taking pics when the bus is going full speed down a highway ! It has always been a dream to be a photographer for National Geographic. One day, it will happen . I don't like how the cameras nowadays are so complicated . I did just fine for many years with my SLR Yashica FX2 . Unfortunately , the camera didn't fare too well on a horseback trip out into the bush for 5 days. It was strapped to me and took a lot of pounding as I rode on horseback. It would not have fared any better inside the tiny saddlebags. My old manual Yashica FX2 was like an appendage to me. It was an extension of part of me.
So, pics of Beijing , Chengde and towards the end, a few pics that I took at Granville Island a few months ago . The pics of a bicycle bell , a bicycle handle that I was very pleased in how they turned out. And then , there is the pic of heart lights which is really cool. This pic was taken focused on a stain glass ceiling light at Rogers Chocolates in G.I. and then moving my camera around creating the hearts . Its an intuition thing and hard to predict how it will turn out. With practice, of course it gets better. If the intent is there, it will happen. My first time doing this photography method and I am pleased with how it turned out. No photographs have been retouched, manipulated , photo shopped , cropped , etc. What you see is exactly what I saw , and how I freeze framed and captured the moment.
Here's the link to the pics.
https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=f817dc28fefed480&resid=F817DC28FEFED480!553&parid=F817DC28FEFED480!133&authkey=!ABpzl0UOWj0DfVc
Enjoy ! We truly do live in a beautiful world........Five days and counting !!!!!!!! x0x0x0x0
Namaste....Aloha......Carpe Diem !
Molly
Monday 7 May 2012
Neon Vancouver Chinatown
Aloha !
Today was the last day of tutoring for me at Strathcona before I head off to Hawaii next Monday ! The kids were so sweet to me and I was presented with a big bouquet of flowers by Betty and the children this morning . One of my kids gave me a special rock that she found from a North Vancouver beach . She didn't know which beach , only that it was in North Van. That was very sweet of her . It warms my heart tremendously in seeing how far they have each progressed. I have so much fun with them and we laugh a lot during our readings . They all love it when I read to them as I am very animated when I read out loud to children . I know when they are tired and I read for a little while . This also helps them know where to put inflections when they read out loud so as to not sound mono toned. I will miss them very much , but I will be back at Strathcona in Sept /Oct . I promised to send them a post card before the school year is over . The entire class wanted to come to Hawaii with me , all 24 of them ! It has been such a rewarding experience being a volunteer Literacy tutor. If anyone of you are interested out there in doing this , look up One to One Literacy . There are many schools that you can volunteer at. You will be gifting a child with the powerful gift of literacy. You will be helping them by fostering the great joys of reading , understanding , and continuously learning . This can open up so many doors for the children and help them dream and grow beyond their Life circumstances. We are all bigger than our circumstances.
While walking through Chinatown on my way to meet my dear friend Julie for lunch , a street artist was selling his art from his van . Look him up : ' Laughing Hands.' Keith McKellar . Well heck, here's his website : http://www.laughinghand.com/home.html
Very interesting man . Very interesting Life story. I talked to him for quite a while . He does line drawings of neon signs of old buildings and restaurants of Vancouver Chinatown. Some of the buildings do not exist anymore. I bought 3 of his coloured prints . One was of B.C. Royal Restaurant , the other was of Ho Ho Chop Suey Restaurant , and the last one was of White Lunch Restaurant . They were all purchased for sentimental reasons , my memories of the 70's . My Mom and Dad used to go to B.C. Royal . Well, all us kids did too. All the old timers called it B.C. Loy-loo , as they could not pronounce ' r' s. ' That is an Asian thing, mind you, this challenge of saying the letter ' r .' Chinatown was so different back in the 70's . It was so very busy, vibrant and full of neon signs . It was the place, and the only place to go if you want Chinese food , real Chinese food. My uncle worked at White Lunch when he first immigrated to Canada from Hong Kong back in the 70's . White Lunch was across from Woodwards . Neither place exists now.
There were drawings of the Only Cafe , Ovaltine Cafe , Balmoral Hotel, Hong Kong Cafe, Save On Meats , Classical Joint , and many more. His website does not do his drawings justice . You really have to see them in person to fully appreciate the tremendous detail in his drawings. He has my e-mail and I am sure he will contact me . He told me that I gave him great karma as his business was very brisk once I came along . I went back twice. Keith McKellar will be having an art show at Sun Yat Sen Gardens on Sept, 8th . Depending on my schedule, I may volunteer to help him with his show . He is also a really good writer too and you will see excerpts of his writings on his website. He has also written a book called Neon Eulogy, which is a homage to the neon signs of Vancouver past . I am a believer of supporting street musicians and artists. Keith is really good in his art and writing . Willie , my dear dear friend , you draw like Keith . Those of us who know Willie know what I am talking about. Miss you lots, Willie ! I hope you are still drawing lots for you are talented, my friend !
Thank you all for your e-mails and well wishes for my adventure to Kalani. I feel so much love from all of you. Mahalo . I love you all dearly . Very very much so.
Six days and counting ! I have to start thinking of what to pack ! I am bringing only one suitcase and my paints and paint brushes will take up much space. There is no art supply store where I am going , not even in Hilo , which is about 55 minutes away from Kalani.
Aloha,
Carpe diem !
x0x0x0x0x0
Molly
Today was the last day of tutoring for me at Strathcona before I head off to Hawaii next Monday ! The kids were so sweet to me and I was presented with a big bouquet of flowers by Betty and the children this morning . One of my kids gave me a special rock that she found from a North Vancouver beach . She didn't know which beach , only that it was in North Van. That was very sweet of her . It warms my heart tremendously in seeing how far they have each progressed. I have so much fun with them and we laugh a lot during our readings . They all love it when I read to them as I am very animated when I read out loud to children . I know when they are tired and I read for a little while . This also helps them know where to put inflections when they read out loud so as to not sound mono toned. I will miss them very much , but I will be back at Strathcona in Sept /Oct . I promised to send them a post card before the school year is over . The entire class wanted to come to Hawaii with me , all 24 of them ! It has been such a rewarding experience being a volunteer Literacy tutor. If anyone of you are interested out there in doing this , look up One to One Literacy . There are many schools that you can volunteer at. You will be gifting a child with the powerful gift of literacy. You will be helping them by fostering the great joys of reading , understanding , and continuously learning . This can open up so many doors for the children and help them dream and grow beyond their Life circumstances. We are all bigger than our circumstances.
While walking through Chinatown on my way to meet my dear friend Julie for lunch , a street artist was selling his art from his van . Look him up : ' Laughing Hands.' Keith McKellar . Well heck, here's his website : http://www.laughinghand.com/home.html
Very interesting man . Very interesting Life story. I talked to him for quite a while . He does line drawings of neon signs of old buildings and restaurants of Vancouver Chinatown. Some of the buildings do not exist anymore. I bought 3 of his coloured prints . One was of B.C. Royal Restaurant , the other was of Ho Ho Chop Suey Restaurant , and the last one was of White Lunch Restaurant . They were all purchased for sentimental reasons , my memories of the 70's . My Mom and Dad used to go to B.C. Royal . Well, all us kids did too. All the old timers called it B.C. Loy-loo , as they could not pronounce ' r' s. ' That is an Asian thing, mind you, this challenge of saying the letter ' r .' Chinatown was so different back in the 70's . It was so very busy, vibrant and full of neon signs . It was the place, and the only place to go if you want Chinese food , real Chinese food. My uncle worked at White Lunch when he first immigrated to Canada from Hong Kong back in the 70's . White Lunch was across from Woodwards . Neither place exists now.
There were drawings of the Only Cafe , Ovaltine Cafe , Balmoral Hotel, Hong Kong Cafe, Save On Meats , Classical Joint , and many more. His website does not do his drawings justice . You really have to see them in person to fully appreciate the tremendous detail in his drawings. He has my e-mail and I am sure he will contact me . He told me that I gave him great karma as his business was very brisk once I came along . I went back twice. Keith McKellar will be having an art show at Sun Yat Sen Gardens on Sept, 8th . Depending on my schedule, I may volunteer to help him with his show . He is also a really good writer too and you will see excerpts of his writings on his website. He has also written a book called Neon Eulogy, which is a homage to the neon signs of Vancouver past . I am a believer of supporting street musicians and artists. Keith is really good in his art and writing . Willie , my dear dear friend , you draw like Keith . Those of us who know Willie know what I am talking about. Miss you lots, Willie ! I hope you are still drawing lots for you are talented, my friend !
Thank you all for your e-mails and well wishes for my adventure to Kalani. I feel so much love from all of you. Mahalo . I love you all dearly . Very very much so.
Six days and counting ! I have to start thinking of what to pack ! I am bringing only one suitcase and my paints and paint brushes will take up much space. There is no art supply store where I am going , not even in Hilo , which is about 55 minutes away from Kalani.
Aloha,
Carpe diem !
x0x0x0x0x0
Molly
Saturday 5 May 2012
Can you paint with all the colours of the wind ?
Aloha !
OMG ! Today, I saw a hula done to to the Song " Colors of the Wind ! :" It was beautiful and my mission is to learn the hula to this , as this is very much me . It is exactly the same song as most of you know it, with the exception that they changed a few words, such as changing the word ' wolves ' to ' whales ' and ' sycamore ' is replace by ' Banyan tree ' . First I have to get the music ! Guess I will have to get it in Hawaii . The song is mostly known as the theme song to the Disney movie " Pocahontas " . The song sums us pretty much how I think . I use to listen to it a lot on the way to work out to UBC on the bus. I have very fond memories of listening to this song sung by Vanessa Williams back in 2004 / 2005 , on the bus with Sven. Sven would get on the bus the same time I did at Waterfront Station and we would ride out to UBC listening to my CDs , me giving him one of my earphones. Listened to a lot of Izzy and bellydance music ,Otmar Lieber , Andrea Botcelli , among many others on my commute to work . But this song, I listened to a lot , on repeat . It is also beautifully sung by Vanessa Williams in Spanish , and I have that version too. I don't think many people really listen to the lyrics or understand it . Here are the lyrics and the song :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbuzskVs6rc&feature=related
Colors of the Wind
You think you own whatever land you land on
The Earth is just a dead thing you can claim
But I know every rock and tree and creature
Has a life, has a spirit, has a name
You think the only people who are people
Are the people who look and think like you
But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger
You'll learn things you never knew you never knew
Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon
Or asked the grinning bobcat why he grinned?
Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains?
Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?
Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?
Come run the hidden pine trails of the forest
Come taste the sunsweet berries of the Earth
Come roll in all the riches all around you
And for once, never wonder what they're worth
The rainstorm and the river are my brothers
The heron and the otter are my friends
And we are all connected to each other
In a circle, in a hoop that never ends
How high will the sycamore grow?
If you cut it down, then you'll never know
And you'll never hear the wolf cry to the blue corn moon
For whether we are white or copper skinned
We need to sing with all the voices of the mountains
We need to paint with all the colors of the wind
You can own the Earth and still
All you'll own is Earth until
You can paint with all the colors of the wind
I will be painting with all the colours of the wind in Kalani........ Yes, I can paint with all the colours of the wind. That has always been deep within me.....I will paint with all the colours of the rainbow too ........I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to go to Kalani ...... Kalani Honua......Heaven on Earth .
We are all able to paint with all the colours of the wind with our spirit. You do not need a paint brush . Kalani has been calling me for a very very long time , only, I did not know where the calling was coming from. " To everything there is a Season, a Time and Purpose under Heaven...." Ecclesiates 3:1
My time and purpose truly is to be in Kalani . This is truly a deep knowing within my heart and spirit. God is sending me to Heaven on Earth.
We are truly " connected to each other , in a circle , in a hoop that never ends . "
Blessings to you all , my dear Family , Friends and Visitors to my blog.
With much Aloha,
Molly
.
OMG ! Today, I saw a hula done to to the Song " Colors of the Wind ! :" It was beautiful and my mission is to learn the hula to this , as this is very much me . It is exactly the same song as most of you know it, with the exception that they changed a few words, such as changing the word ' wolves ' to ' whales ' and ' sycamore ' is replace by ' Banyan tree ' . First I have to get the music ! Guess I will have to get it in Hawaii . The song is mostly known as the theme song to the Disney movie " Pocahontas " . The song sums us pretty much how I think . I use to listen to it a lot on the way to work out to UBC on the bus. I have very fond memories of listening to this song sung by Vanessa Williams back in 2004 / 2005 , on the bus with Sven. Sven would get on the bus the same time I did at Waterfront Station and we would ride out to UBC listening to my CDs , me giving him one of my earphones. Listened to a lot of Izzy and bellydance music ,Otmar Lieber , Andrea Botcelli , among many others on my commute to work . But this song, I listened to a lot , on repeat . It is also beautifully sung by Vanessa Williams in Spanish , and I have that version too. I don't think many people really listen to the lyrics or understand it . Here are the lyrics and the song :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbuzskVs6rc&feature=related
Colors of the Wind
You think you own whatever land you land on
The Earth is just a dead thing you can claim
But I know every rock and tree and creature
Has a life, has a spirit, has a name
You think the only people who are people
Are the people who look and think like you
But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger
You'll learn things you never knew you never knew
Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon
Or asked the grinning bobcat why he grinned?
Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains?
Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?
Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?
Come run the hidden pine trails of the forest
Come taste the sunsweet berries of the Earth
Come roll in all the riches all around you
And for once, never wonder what they're worth
The rainstorm and the river are my brothers
The heron and the otter are my friends
And we are all connected to each other
In a circle, in a hoop that never ends
How high will the sycamore grow?
If you cut it down, then you'll never know
And you'll never hear the wolf cry to the blue corn moon
For whether we are white or copper skinned
We need to sing with all the voices of the mountains
We need to paint with all the colors of the wind
You can own the Earth and still
All you'll own is Earth until
You can paint with all the colors of the wind
I will be painting with all the colours of the wind in Kalani........ Yes, I can paint with all the colours of the wind. That has always been deep within me.....I will paint with all the colours of the rainbow too ........I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to go to Kalani ...... Kalani Honua......Heaven on Earth .
We are all able to paint with all the colours of the wind with our spirit. You do not need a paint brush . Kalani has been calling me for a very very long time , only, I did not know where the calling was coming from. " To everything there is a Season, a Time and Purpose under Heaven...." Ecclesiates 3:1
My time and purpose truly is to be in Kalani . This is truly a deep knowing within my heart and spirit. God is sending me to Heaven on Earth.
We are truly " connected to each other , in a circle , in a hoop that never ends . "
Blessings to you all , my dear Family , Friends and Visitors to my blog.
With much Aloha,
Molly
.
Wednesday 2 May 2012
Emily Carr , Canada's first Hippie
Aloha !
A month ago, I was in the North Vancouver Library , researching Emily Carr and a few other painters for a class assignment , when an elderly man who breathing heavy , huffing and puffing, trying to catch his breath , knelt down beside me . He got down on his hands and knees and was looking at the books on the very bottom shelf. I think he walked up the 3 flights of stairs , which was the reason for him being out of breath.That, and also, he was probably in his late 70's too. He heaved out a thick heavy book and brought it to the table where I had also put my collection of chosen books. I sat down across from him . He sat down , opened his book , peered at me , noticing the art books in front of me . " Are you a painter? " he asked. Yes, I am. I love to paint. " " You got some good ones there . Emily Carr. She's Canada 's first hippie, you know ! " I laughed . " You are right ! I haven't thought of her in that way, but you are right ! She marched to the beat of a different drummer for sure . She was a real pioneer. She was of the land . "
" Do you paint? " I asked. " Yes , " he replied. " How long have you painted ? " There was a long pause. " Oh, that long, huh ? " " Yes, I was just thinking , I started painting in high school and that was a very very long time ago. " He pulled some stamps out of a large manila envelope. Aha ! He was a stamp collector . He gave an occasion groan and the odd whoop now and then as he looked from his stamps to the rapidly flipping pages in front of him . " Do you have some good ones there? " I asked. " Yep ! Some , " he smiled.
" You know, I still paint . I only paint when something or someone catches my fancy ! " He looked at me intently . " You wanna model ? " I gave him one of my withering looks . There is no subject to interpretation with my look . I did not like the way the conversation changed and I made it clear. His question was most inappropriate . He was old enough to know better. He quickly changed the subject. He found what he needed in his book. As he got up to leave, he waved goodbye and said, " See you later, doll ! " Since then ( a month ago ) , 2 other men , strangers, have called me ' doll.' Must be the latest thing for men to call women. Doll.
Yes, Emily Carr , Canada's first hippie . She would have loved Hawaii ..........Georgia O' Keeffe went to Hawaii . I too, among many other subject matter, will be painting flowers , like Georgia O' Keeffe did when she was in Hawaii......
Aloha ! Carpe Diem !
x0x0x0x0
Molly
A month ago, I was in the North Vancouver Library , researching Emily Carr and a few other painters for a class assignment , when an elderly man who breathing heavy , huffing and puffing, trying to catch his breath , knelt down beside me . He got down on his hands and knees and was looking at the books on the very bottom shelf. I think he walked up the 3 flights of stairs , which was the reason for him being out of breath.That, and also, he was probably in his late 70's too. He heaved out a thick heavy book and brought it to the table where I had also put my collection of chosen books. I sat down across from him . He sat down , opened his book , peered at me , noticing the art books in front of me . " Are you a painter? " he asked. Yes, I am. I love to paint. " " You got some good ones there . Emily Carr. She's Canada 's first hippie, you know ! " I laughed . " You are right ! I haven't thought of her in that way, but you are right ! She marched to the beat of a different drummer for sure . She was a real pioneer. She was of the land . "
" Do you paint? " I asked. " Yes , " he replied. " How long have you painted ? " There was a long pause. " Oh, that long, huh ? " " Yes, I was just thinking , I started painting in high school and that was a very very long time ago. " He pulled some stamps out of a large manila envelope. Aha ! He was a stamp collector . He gave an occasion groan and the odd whoop now and then as he looked from his stamps to the rapidly flipping pages in front of him . " Do you have some good ones there? " I asked. " Yep ! Some , " he smiled.
" You know, I still paint . I only paint when something or someone catches my fancy ! " He looked at me intently . " You wanna model ? " I gave him one of my withering looks . There is no subject to interpretation with my look . I did not like the way the conversation changed and I made it clear. His question was most inappropriate . He was old enough to know better. He quickly changed the subject. He found what he needed in his book. As he got up to leave, he waved goodbye and said, " See you later, doll ! " Since then ( a month ago ) , 2 other men , strangers, have called me ' doll.' Must be the latest thing for men to call women. Doll.
Yes, Emily Carr , Canada's first hippie . She would have loved Hawaii ..........Georgia O' Keeffe went to Hawaii . I too, among many other subject matter, will be painting flowers , like Georgia O' Keeffe did when she was in Hawaii......
Aloha ! Carpe Diem !
x0x0x0x0
Molly
Letting go of the past and facing future.
Aloha !
12 days and counting ! :)
Well, I have spent most of my day shredding documents. Those damn docs that I had no idea I've kept for so many years. It feels good. Great, to be exact. I am not yet finished, but close , and I feel great ! There were some divorce docs in the pile and I didn't even read any of it , just simply proceeded to shred. That was such a painful period in my Life , so very long ago. Broken heart, broken dreams, broken spirit ........Daniel was only a year and a half old......Looking back, I am so glad that he was so very young, although I knew he knew something was happening , even at that tender young age......No one wins. No One. I have forgiven long ago , and most importantly, I have forgiven myself too . Michael and I communicate frequently still . In many ways, we are kindred spirits and share many simular interests . Peace and Love to you Michael .
And I watch strangers, hurrying to their appointments and destinations , as I wander slowly each day, whenever I am out and about . Yes, I wander. A few months ago, I sat down beside a lady who was holding tight to her backpack. I smiled at her and that immediately started conversation. I asked her where she was going and she told me that she was down from Kelowna visiting her son. We talked a bit and she asked me where I was going. I smiled and told her, " Oh, just wandering " and she laughed. I mean, I knew where I was going, but I was in no hurry , and I had lots of time, and I often take detours and end up somewhere else. So, while the general destination is in mind, I preamble , meander , and wander.........
I am a volunteer Literacy Tutor at Strathcona Elementary on Mondays. I am there from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and I tutor 7 children , Grade 3 and Grade 4. The children that I tutor are literally United Nations, very multi -national , just the way I like ! :) They are all very dear to my heart. Several weeks ago, on my way to tutoring, I was on the #22 bus which goes through Chinatown . A homeless man got on the bus and the bus driver gave him a free ride. As he walked towards the back of the bus, I could see everyone shifting in their seats . I think it was a subconcious thing , as his scent was somewhat ripe from a high probability of not bathing for quite a while , and no one wanted him to sit beside them . He sensed it too.,the overall uneasiness . I knew he felt uneasy too. He walked back and forth , pacing and muttering something and I couldn' t really hear his exact words as I had my earphones on and was listening to my music . And then he sat down in front of me, on the seat along side of me . Because silly me, I smiled at him. While listening to my music, I looked up and smiled at him. He started talking and I wasn't really paying attention but I turned my music down , and nodded once in a while , just to acknowledge him. Crapola, I was probably , unbeknownst to me, agreeing with whatever he said when I nodded. He dropped a stack of papers held together with a large black foldover clip on the bus floor . As he bent over to pick up the papers , I said to him, " Is that your
resume ? " knowing full well that it was not. Well, he thought that was so funny and he laughed and laughed and I laughed with him. He told me that he was applying for a grant. " That's a really nice sweater you have on " I said to him. It really was a nice sweater , cream colour, with a purple and green nordic pattern. He beamed from ear to ear . He was wearing all the clothes that he owned on his back , strategically layered . He checked both his pant pockets and pulled out small pieces of paper and a five dollar bill and a ten dollar bill. While he definitely had more cash in his pockets than I had in mine , that was most likely all he had . As he was nearing his stop, he stood up and smiled at me and said, " Go ahead, grab my ass, they're my best assets ! " He grabs his own butt with both hands and I laughed. He backs up a bit towards me, " Go ahead ! " I could see the bus driver looking at us from his mirror , with a smile of amusement on his face . " No thanks, but they are decent looking ! " As he got off the bus, he waved at me until I was out of sight . It was very sweet. He was happy, on a cold rainy Vancouver Monday. And someone talked to him and made him laugh .
I would walked through Chinatown , go to New Town Bakery and get one of their steamed meat buns ( usually chicken ) for breakfast on my way to Strathcona. On my home, I would walk down Keefer Street and go to Kent's Kitchen and get their $4.50 special which is a choice of 2 food items over steamed rice. This ends up being 3 meals for me : lunch , dinner, lunch . You can't beat $ 4.50 for that !!!!
Did you know that daffodils don't like other flowers ? I was told this from May, who owns May's Flowers in Lonsdale Quay. May told me not to put daffodils with other flowers. I bought some tulips and hyacinths from her four days ago. I asked her if hyacinths are agreeable with other flowers. She didn't know as she had never paired tulips and hyacinths together in the same bouquet .She told me to let her know. I went yesterday and happliy advised her that hyacinths enjoy tulips' company . She thought that I made a great pairing, putting hyacinths and tulips together in my own bouquet. My apartment smells wonderful . I have a beautiful bouquet of purple hyacinths, pink hyacinths, red tulips, and yellow tulips , with thick long pale green tulip leaves bracing the flower bouquet erect. The tulips have become lyrical now, as their stems are curving downward. The tulips all start out erect and tall , and as the days go by in the vase, their stems curve and the flowers bow downwards, each tulip heading in its own direction, its own path........I love how the tulip stems look when they are curved . They are lyrical to me in movement , creating their own choreography in the vase . Soon, some of the tulip petals will fall.......
It is surreal . I really am living my dream . I will be in Kalani in 12 days !!!!!!! Yes, I am very excited ! To be able to paint , dance , cook beautiful meals, and do yoga every day , what more can I ask ? All my friends think that I may not come back. I am open to possibilties . Completely open . My Life has radically changed in just these past 9 months , Jeesh, like birthing a baby ! Guess that would be me ! : ) I am reborn again ! Everything truly is new . I still look at Nature in wonderment . These past few weeks , I have often stood in rapt silence , under a cherry tree heavy with thick pink blossoms , creating a sheltering canopy above . Passerbys paused , wondering what I am looking at up in the trees . I am simply looking at the blossoms , taking it all in with awe and appreciation . I can feel the beauty surround me and Life renewal coursing through me .
I am ready to face the future. I have a plan in place , with options for detours . I will be like the Ohia Lehua , putting roots down on volcanic rock...... There is a deep knowing within me that Kalani will be Life changing for me......That is undoubted . I am ready . Bring it on. First, I have to pack. : ) To bring, or not to bring, that is the question. Time to let go. A much simpler Life , like the homeless man , wearing all his earthly possessions on his back.
" Facing Future " . That is the album name of one of Izzy's albums. Facing future . " Somewhere Over the Rainbow...... " Hawaii is full of rainbows...... God's promises......
I am ready ! Ready to face the Future !
Aloha . Carpe Diem !
x0x0x0x0
Molly
12 days and counting ! :)
Well, I have spent most of my day shredding documents. Those damn docs that I had no idea I've kept for so many years. It feels good. Great, to be exact. I am not yet finished, but close , and I feel great ! There were some divorce docs in the pile and I didn't even read any of it , just simply proceeded to shred. That was such a painful period in my Life , so very long ago. Broken heart, broken dreams, broken spirit ........Daniel was only a year and a half old......Looking back, I am so glad that he was so very young, although I knew he knew something was happening , even at that tender young age......No one wins. No One. I have forgiven long ago , and most importantly, I have forgiven myself too . Michael and I communicate frequently still . In many ways, we are kindred spirits and share many simular interests . Peace and Love to you Michael .
And I watch strangers, hurrying to their appointments and destinations , as I wander slowly each day, whenever I am out and about . Yes, I wander. A few months ago, I sat down beside a lady who was holding tight to her backpack. I smiled at her and that immediately started conversation. I asked her where she was going and she told me that she was down from Kelowna visiting her son. We talked a bit and she asked me where I was going. I smiled and told her, " Oh, just wandering " and she laughed. I mean, I knew where I was going, but I was in no hurry , and I had lots of time, and I often take detours and end up somewhere else. So, while the general destination is in mind, I preamble , meander , and wander.........
I am a volunteer Literacy Tutor at Strathcona Elementary on Mondays. I am there from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and I tutor 7 children , Grade 3 and Grade 4. The children that I tutor are literally United Nations, very multi -national , just the way I like ! :) They are all very dear to my heart. Several weeks ago, on my way to tutoring, I was on the #22 bus which goes through Chinatown . A homeless man got on the bus and the bus driver gave him a free ride. As he walked towards the back of the bus, I could see everyone shifting in their seats . I think it was a subconcious thing , as his scent was somewhat ripe from a high probability of not bathing for quite a while , and no one wanted him to sit beside them . He sensed it too.,the overall uneasiness . I knew he felt uneasy too. He walked back and forth , pacing and muttering something and I couldn' t really hear his exact words as I had my earphones on and was listening to my music . And then he sat down in front of me, on the seat along side of me . Because silly me, I smiled at him. While listening to my music, I looked up and smiled at him. He started talking and I wasn't really paying attention but I turned my music down , and nodded once in a while , just to acknowledge him. Crapola, I was probably , unbeknownst to me, agreeing with whatever he said when I nodded. He dropped a stack of papers held together with a large black foldover clip on the bus floor . As he bent over to pick up the papers , I said to him, " Is that your
resume ? " knowing full well that it was not. Well, he thought that was so funny and he laughed and laughed and I laughed with him. He told me that he was applying for a grant. " That's a really nice sweater you have on " I said to him. It really was a nice sweater , cream colour, with a purple and green nordic pattern. He beamed from ear to ear . He was wearing all the clothes that he owned on his back , strategically layered . He checked both his pant pockets and pulled out small pieces of paper and a five dollar bill and a ten dollar bill. While he definitely had more cash in his pockets than I had in mine , that was most likely all he had . As he was nearing his stop, he stood up and smiled at me and said, " Go ahead, grab my ass, they're my best assets ! " He grabs his own butt with both hands and I laughed. He backs up a bit towards me, " Go ahead ! " I could see the bus driver looking at us from his mirror , with a smile of amusement on his face . " No thanks, but they are decent looking ! " As he got off the bus, he waved at me until I was out of sight . It was very sweet. He was happy, on a cold rainy Vancouver Monday. And someone talked to him and made him laugh .
I would walked through Chinatown , go to New Town Bakery and get one of their steamed meat buns ( usually chicken ) for breakfast on my way to Strathcona. On my home, I would walk down Keefer Street and go to Kent's Kitchen and get their $4.50 special which is a choice of 2 food items over steamed rice. This ends up being 3 meals for me : lunch , dinner, lunch . You can't beat $ 4.50 for that !!!!
Did you know that daffodils don't like other flowers ? I was told this from May, who owns May's Flowers in Lonsdale Quay. May told me not to put daffodils with other flowers. I bought some tulips and hyacinths from her four days ago. I asked her if hyacinths are agreeable with other flowers. She didn't know as she had never paired tulips and hyacinths together in the same bouquet .She told me to let her know. I went yesterday and happliy advised her that hyacinths enjoy tulips' company . She thought that I made a great pairing, putting hyacinths and tulips together in my own bouquet. My apartment smells wonderful . I have a beautiful bouquet of purple hyacinths, pink hyacinths, red tulips, and yellow tulips , with thick long pale green tulip leaves bracing the flower bouquet erect. The tulips have become lyrical now, as their stems are curving downward. The tulips all start out erect and tall , and as the days go by in the vase, their stems curve and the flowers bow downwards, each tulip heading in its own direction, its own path........I love how the tulip stems look when they are curved . They are lyrical to me in movement , creating their own choreography in the vase . Soon, some of the tulip petals will fall.......
It is surreal . I really am living my dream . I will be in Kalani in 12 days !!!!!!! Yes, I am very excited ! To be able to paint , dance , cook beautiful meals, and do yoga every day , what more can I ask ? All my friends think that I may not come back. I am open to possibilties . Completely open . My Life has radically changed in just these past 9 months , Jeesh, like birthing a baby ! Guess that would be me ! : ) I am reborn again ! Everything truly is new . I still look at Nature in wonderment . These past few weeks , I have often stood in rapt silence , under a cherry tree heavy with thick pink blossoms , creating a sheltering canopy above . Passerbys paused , wondering what I am looking at up in the trees . I am simply looking at the blossoms , taking it all in with awe and appreciation . I can feel the beauty surround me and Life renewal coursing through me .
I am ready to face the future. I have a plan in place , with options for detours . I will be like the Ohia Lehua , putting roots down on volcanic rock...... There is a deep knowing within me that Kalani will be Life changing for me......That is undoubted . I am ready . Bring it on. First, I have to pack. : ) To bring, or not to bring, that is the question. Time to let go. A much simpler Life , like the homeless man , wearing all his earthly possessions on his back.
" Facing Future " . That is the album name of one of Izzy's albums. Facing future . " Somewhere Over the Rainbow...... " Hawaii is full of rainbows...... God's promises......
I am ready ! Ready to face the Future !
Aloha . Carpe Diem !
x0x0x0x0
Molly
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)