Mija’s Wedding in Ft. Lauderdale

What a blast it was!  Left on Thursday, got back on Monday.  It went so fast, too.  I don’t think I slept more than four hours each night.   But I would’nt’ve missed it for the world!

Makani (Wind) Kai (Sea)

Here’s an update:  I love this place!  Lately the weather has been rainy and windy, which I like.  In Tennessee, thunderstorms would move in across the mountains quickly, drench the valley below, strike lightning a few times, and dissipate.  I didn’t realize how much I missed that drenching.  It makes you feel good, the air smells cleaner, and everything takes on a new, shinier life. 

The rain and wind here are similar, but not the same.  A couple days ago, the wind was blowing the rain in towards us so hard that it was like a firehose being pointed at our windows.  THAT was interesting.  The wind also howls through our house (when the windows are closed) making a weird moaning sound, like a Halloween ghost. 

Then the sun pops out fierce and hot and the clouds take on the fluffy cotton-ball look.  I’ve even seen a few rainbows and many, many waterfalls!  When the rain comes in that hard and fast, the waterfalls literally spring to life as rain rushes down the mountains.  I would really like to snap a picture of that.  But enough about the weather.

I miss Thurston!  I miss Mrs. Cochren, Mrs. Twitty, and all the students I had last year.  I miss Leanne, E.J., Violet and Kate, who write to me on this blog to see how I am.  Gone, but not forgotten?!  I am busy, busy, busy.  I’ve just finished an order for twenty pairs of earrings, posted several new photos, and I’ve taken up golf again!  The courses are amazing here and so many from which to choose.  New golf clubs reinspired me.  And the fact that my elbows no longer have tendonitis…

from Three Cups of Tea

…the true measure of a nation’s success is not gross national product, but ‘gross national happiness.’”  ~Himalyan king, Bhutan

On this day, Election Day, in America one can hardly ignore the palpable angst people are feeling.  No doubt, everyone feels strongly about the direction we’ve been going for the last few years.  All one has to do is turn on the television or radio and listen for a minute.  I think that today we will see the largest voter turn out in American history.  I think that the youngest voters, those ages 18-24, will be the biggest surprise.  Traditionally, young people are not a big percentage of voters.  I think that’s all about to change.  It’s time for the Indigo Children out there to make a difference.  Global warming, rising health care costs, depressed housing and stock markets, these are issues of great importance, demanding our national attention.  Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Do the thing and you will have the power.” 

Today, the thing to do is VOTE.

Fabulous!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Hello Everyone!  I thought I’d just take a quick minute to update you on what’s going on with me here in O’ahu.  So far, I’ve been snapping photos all over the place, mostly at 6 a.m. in the morning when the sun is rising over the mountains.  So, I haven’t exactly been sleeping in and taking it easy.  Okay, well, I have been taking it easy.  I’m really enjoying being creative and using my apparently “natural” talent as a photographer.  Really, I insist that my mom is the real teacher for me as a student of photography.  When I was young, I must’ve been paying more attention to her than I thought.  She’s the one who really helped me understand such things as the ‘rule of thirds’ and color and composition.

The island is a veritable fount of new sights and sounds for me.  Every day some new thing presents itself to me to photograph.  Yesterday, coming back from sunny, clear Waikiki, the Pali mountains were covered in a misty shroud, which began to rain on me upon crossing.  The tunnels through the mountains provide a respite from the roar of the rain, and then plunge you back into clouds spitting water.  (I always am amazed to think about how those tunnels were blasted and how dangerous that job must’ve been!  Read Michener’s Hawaii!)

I’ve joined two book clubs now.  One is at a retirement home, which is full of the most beautiful ladies, ranging in age up to 103!  We read some political articles that I won’t bore you with, but we all agreed that Sarah Palin was not a great choice for representing American women knowledgeably.  (Did I spell that correctly?)  I understand why women are excited about having this opportunity, but really does no one remember Geraldine Ferraro, the first female vice-prez nominee?  No matter how you feel about politics or Palin, I’d implore you to look closely at how she might run this country in the absence of McCain.  Mostly, the older women couldn’t understand why younger women are so enamored with her…  I guess you know who’ll get my vote in November.  I think it’s time for young people to get more involved in politics.  It looks like the old guys are spending your money faster than you can earn it.

Without the daily travails of teaching class, I have a lot more time on my hands to think, reflect, ponder, and talk about important issues such as these.  I hope I haven’t offended anyone in my diatribe.  My only aim is to get you to think more about how our country is being run.  That’s why it’s important for you to pay attention now, to your teachers, to your parents and grandparents, to the world news.  You have the ability to change the world.  Think positively.

October Sunrise

October Sunrise

My New Gig

Check out the link to see what I’m up to these days!  Being creative and taking photos is hard work, but it sure is fun.

www.lesliemaus.etsy.com

Wind, Water, Mountains

It’s breathtakingly gorgeous here!  I am continually amazed at the scenic beauty of the clouds hanging lazily over the tips of the mountain tops, the waves glistening in the sun, and the way the rain falls gently each day.  The marina houses an array of sealife.  Tiny crabs scuttle to and fro whenever you walk past them, ever cautious.  The fishpond has these fish feeding like a school of piranhas, with tall fins slashing through the water like knives.  Don’t worry, they’re only milkfish.  Or so someone told me…  Geckos in every size and color run hurry scurry, tiny minnows skip across the surface of the water, and larger spotted fish travel in tight-knit schools.  I feel like I’m on the longest summer vacation ever!  Pinch me!  Wake me up.  I must be dreaming.

A Saturday Drive

Waiahole Beach Park, O

Into the Northshore

The Lighthouse