Monday, March 31, 2008

Xenophobia?


Dictionary.com's "Word of the Day" is: xenophobia: fear or hatred of what is strange or foreign.

While in Sri Lanka, we visited a Buddhist temple located on an island that could only be reached by boat. It was the most moving and amazing day I have had in decades. This boy took my breath away. I have more photos of him smiling and laughing with the other boys, but in this particular moment he was holding the Tripitaka, the Buddhist holy book.

His respect and solemnity while handling the Tripitaka was complete and honest.

Which brings me to the above word of the day. What is there to fear or hate?

This week we will be launching "Expressions of Independence" at the Mona Bismarck Foundation. The exposition features 60 Sri Lankan artists and celebrates 6o years of the independence of Sri Lanka.

We're all very excited to have the opportunity to see a few of our Sri Lankan friends and get wrapped in our saris for the vernissage evening. None of us is xenophobic, I assure you!

Live and let live...

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Reflections...


Yesterday's packing adventure was somewhat emotional. Add cold rainy weather with the time change here in France and today turned into a low-key afternoon. A perfect way to reflect on the changes coming up...

I grew up in the military, moving was my life. Every two years Mayflower Van Lines showed up; we'd get yanked out of school and plopped into a new environment where we struggled to catch up with lost school work and tried to make new friends. In other words, sink or swim.

This time, however, I am staying and it is a friend who is moving on. She is starting a new job, in a new city and we are all very excited for her. (We're also looking forward to some of the resort location perks... hint, hint!)

I think the anticipation of a life change is more scary than the actual change itself. Once you go through the motions and get settled into a new routine, you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.

Inhale, exhale...

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Moving on...


I have spent the day helping a friend move. I had my Nokia with me and have a nice shot to share... my first phone photo!

In payback for the move, we were rewarded with a few 2003 Volnay... :-) Souvenirs de le Salon de l'Agriculture.... (the heart of France). Promptly enjoyed, I might add!

It feels like the end of an era and yet the beginning of new adventures for all.

Tomorrow is another day...

Friday, March 28, 2008

Reach for the sky...


When I first moved to Paris, I was lost. I didn't speak the language, I had no friends, I gave up my job, my home, my country, family, everything I knew, to start fresh in a new land with a whole new set of rules.

The first few years were rough. It was by accident (literally) that I found my strength, decided to build a future and I began to make progress in this foreign land.

Long story short, I joined an "expat" group and volunteered my time. By doing so, I met new people from many different backgrounds who have now been friends for 16 years. I developed a new set of skills and have, just recently, made a business of it. I didn't give up. The "fight or flight" thing happened a few times, but I always had a return ticket with the flight. Somehow I had to find my way.

By volunteering and giving of myself, I found more coming to me, more doors opening, new contacts made... If you are feeling lost, no matter where you are, volunteer your time with an organization or non-profit group. You never know what it will lead to.

Sky's the limit...

Thursday, March 27, 2008

The Circle of Love


There are people who come into your life who bring an added element, be it educational, inspirational or novel. My business partner, Alice, coined the phrase "Circle of Love".

We have a handful of folks, male and female, spread far and wide, who have taken us under their wing to bring us forward in our field. She has her people, I have mine, and some we claim together. We are both grateful for the information passed, the technology shared, the ideas put forth...

Life is a learning process. Every day should bring something new to your game. I am a total believer in sharing, networking and paying forward. My hope, here in this blog, is to subtly introduce you to some amazing people who have given me something or have something to give to the greater world.

Keep on growing...

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Serendipity...


This is a word you will be hearing from me in the future. I like this word. Webster's defines it as a noun: "the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for". How cool is that?

For me, serendipity is when things come together in your life at the right moment, for the right reasons, and it all falls into place and makes sense. Right now, things are falling into place, not only for me, but for the people around me whom I care about. (Y'all know who you are!)

The photo for the day is elephant butts.

Think about it... they are quite serendipitous in their own right... tails and trunks swinging, everything falling into place without being sought for... What could be simpler?

Carry on...

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Ayubowan...



...means "Welcome" in Sri Lanka!

Okay, so here's the best part of having your own blog; you get to shamelessly plug some events for friends and clients!

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Sri Lanka in preparation for the upcoming exposition at The Mona Bismarck Foundation, "Expressions of Independence".

Sri Lanka is a beautiful island, the people are very friendly and I would highly recommend you make the journey at least once in your lifetime.

The scenery, the sounds, the smells and the colors blew me away and while we had some work to do, we also had the opportunity to see the sites in different parts of the island.

Once I get the Flickr slideshow widget figured out (anyone?), I'll put some photos on the side bar.

Meantime, here's a shot taken in the early morning near the Amaya Lake Hotel.

Peace.

Monday, March 24, 2008

The Moveable Face


I love faces. Sun faces... faces "in situ"... my next little photo show will hopefully be a collection of the faces I've seen. It started with a meatball, smiling up at me from the frying pan. The cooking stopped for a quick shoot.

I "see" faces everywhere. My toilet flusher button smiles at me, the bottle of aspirin in my purse is perpetually happy... you get the picture.

This particular face was taken on my way to lunch one day. We were walking past the Palais de Tokyo. Construction had been going on for quite sometime and the graffiti on the corrugated "protection" fences was amazing.

I snapped this shot at noon and by the time we returned from lunch, less than 2 hours later, it had already been painted over.

Carpe diem.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

In the beginning...


...there was the spark of an idea, a glimpse of greatness, a point of no return, knowing that what little free time I still had left would soon be swallowed by Blogger.

Here's a place to post a few photos, make a few announcements, do a little networking and generally have a bit of fun.

Yesterday the sun was out in between hail storms and showers. For some reason the light was just right and I grabbed my camera....

Here's to spring.