Journeys

.a Love Gift
Originally uploaded by SmallRaffaela

Who would you be if you were not bound by the confines of culture, tradition or family history?

While providing some predictability, the weight of the past can often prevent us from experiencing life for what it is, or how we want it to be. A prayer learned, a candle lit on a certain day, the flag displayed, the language spoken, the God adored and even what you aspire to be may be different if you were born to a different reality.

As of late, my life has been marked by change…either prompted by my inner desires or by outside events. Childhood memories become so comforting in times like these when you feel homesick but home feels foreign.

My journey to self-discovery has led me to India. I do not even know what attracts me to this place; I just know that I must follow. And in the most unlikely circumstances, I have decided to honor this and decided to take a trip to Delhi. From what I have heard, India is a place that I will love and hate at the same time and maybe it is its contrasts that I find attracting because I guess I, myself, am a person of marked contrasts. But maybe it’s just a matter of taking a journey to a place no one in my immediate surroundings has ever taken before. Submerging myself in a different normality in hopes that maybe in the anonymity of its masses, I may find myself.

Excited but exhausted, I am choosing to make my own path.

Who will I be when no one is looking?

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Through My Eyes: “Aeropuerto Psicodélico” by N.Pulowsky[I love airports!]
Through My Ears: I Wanna Hold Your Hand by T.V. Carpio in Soundtrack to Across the Universe
Through My Mind: India, Lonely Planet
In My Thoughts: “(…) love is not a mere sentiment, but the ultimate truth at the heart of the universe.” Deepak Chopra
On My Browser:“Divine Spark Astrology” [ Supportive and insightful, Cindy helps you tap into your strengths and recognize your challenges]

Wake Up!

In your hands
Originally uploaded by Jenny's_photos

...it's time.

I’ve often stressed the importance of dreams but lately, a quite whisper from within has asked when are you going to wake up?

The beautiful thing about dreams is that we are not bound by the usual limits that confine our existence. In a world consumed with thought, how difficult it has become to embrace the other facets of our being. Why would we let something as limited as our minds rule our entire existence?

Collectively, the idea of waking up (and dreaming) has also become relevant. Recent events have only elevated my interest in becoming further involved in the process of changing our world. Some people would say, why do you care about something that happens in the other side of the world? Personally, I care about the kidnappings in Colombia, the war and its effects on the people of Iraq, the criminal and political violence of my own Venezuela and any other unfortunate chapter where intolerance, self-righteousness and extremism have been allowed to take our lives for hostage. I also personally believe that you should care too and not be fooled by those who would like for us to believe that the problem is solved by not traveling to a particular location. I am not sure if you have noticed, but there really doesn’t seem to be a place free of these types of conflicts. The problem has already arrived at your doorstep, whether you acknowledge it or not. Traditional politics are failing us! Perhaps politics have been dehumanized for far too long.

So, WAKE UP, but not because your dreams do not matter; wake up because it is time to invite them into our waking lives.

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Through My Eyes: “ The world INSIDE (not through) the magnifying glass” by Fox [Because one should never underestimate the power one has to inspire one another]
Through My Ears: Una Noche by Alejandro Sanz & The Corrs
Through My Mind: Indian English, Lonely Planet
In My Thoughts: “For self is a sea boundless and measureless” in The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran
On My Browser:“Earth911” [Might as well try saving the world from an environmental disaster while we are on it ;-)]

S'abadeb—The Gifts: Pacific Coast Salish Art and Artists Exhibit

Totems - Comox Valley, British Columbia - Canada
Originally uploaded by kk+

When we think of native art in the Puget Sound area, totem poles usually come to mind such as the one on the right, photographed by kk+. But this is actually representative of Northwest Coastal Art. Salish and Northwest Coast Art do have some similarities, but Salish art is distinguishably different and tends to be more utilitarian.

It is only appropriate that the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) took part of the revitalization of Salish art, a form of art that characterized the people that lived in Seattle before the Point Elliot Treaty. The S'abadeb—The Gifts Exhibit opened at the SAM last Friday and will run until January 11, 2009.

S'abadeb—The Gifts: Pacific Coast Salish Art and Artists is a major exhibition that explores the unique artistry and culture of Salish First Peoples of Washington State and British Columbia. The exhibition features more than 175 works of art from national and international collections that offer a glimpse into the daily and ceremonial lives of the 39 sovereign Salish Nations. Many of the works have never before been on view and are, for the first time, interpreted by Native voices.

Within this visually stunning exhibition, historic works of sculpture, basketry and weaving are shown side by side with contemporary artworks, including paintings, prints and photographs, to emphasize the ongoing vitality of the artistic traditions today. Dynamic multimedia presentations will be featured in the galleries, taking visitors into the territories, lives and rich oral traditions of the Salish First Peoples.
–Barbara Brotherton, Curator of Native American Art

The exhibit includes the work of contemporary Salish Artists such as Michael Pavel (Skokomish), Ed Carriere (Suquamish), Andrea Wilburg-Sigo (Squaxin) and Marvin Oliver (Quinault/Isleta Pueblo).

S'abadeb—The Gifts: Pacific Coast Salish Art and Artists
October 24, 2008–January 11, 2009
SAM Simonyi Special Exhibition Galleries
ADMISSION: $13, $10 seniors (62+), $7 teens (13-17) and students (with ID), free for children under 13 and museum members

Also at the exhibit
Matika Wilbur (Swinomish/Tulalip) · Susan Pavel (Skokomish) · Bill James (Lummi) · Fran James (Lummi) · Susan Point (Musqueam) · Alice Williams (Upper Skagit) · Ron Modeste (Saanich) · Rena Point Bolton (Skowkale) · Mrs. Louis George (Nooksack) · Mrs. John Good, (Nisqually) · Amy Cooper, (Soowahlie) · Gerald Bruce subiyay Miller (Skokomish) · Karen Skyki Reed (Chinook/Puyallup) · John Cheshiahud (Duwamish) ·Shaun Peterson (Tulalip/Puyallup) · Aaron Nelson-Moody (Suquamish) · Martha James (Seabird Island) · Mary Peters (Seabird Island First Nation) ·Susan Wawatkin Bedal (Sauk) · Jennie Kanim (Snoqualmie) · Agnes James (Snohomish) · Ron Hilbert Coy (Tulalip/Upper Skagit) · Andy Peterson (Skokomish) · Mary Lou Slaughter (Duwamish) · Simon Charlie (Cowichan) · Debra Sparrow (Musqueam) · John Marston (Chemainus) · Luke Marston (Chemainus) · Heather Johnson-Jock (Jamestown S'Klallam) · Manuel Salazar (Cowichan) Maynard Johnny Jr. (Penelakut) · Lawrence Paul (Yuxwelupton) · Kelly Cannell (Musqueam) · Roger Fernandes (Lower Elwha S'Klallam) · Floyd Joseph (Suquamish) · Charles Elliott (Saanich) · Edward Joe (Cowichan) · Stan Greene (Semiahmoo/Chehalis/Nez Perce) · Dionne Pau (Sechelt) · Buddy Joseph (Suquamish) · Chief Janice Georg (Suquamish) · Lynn Wilbur-Foster (Squaxin) · Jennie Harmon (Suquamish) · Phoebe Charley (Twana) · Jane Marston (Chemainus)

Source: Seattle Art Museum

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Through My Eyes: “whip it...the video...60/365” by The Revamp Tramp [this woman is HILARIOUS]
Through My Ears: Por Mucho Que Tu Lo Quisieas by Navajita Platea
Through My Mind: Seeker of Visions, Lame Deer
In My Thoughts: “A medicine man shouldn’t be a saint” “It means not being afraid of cutting up and playing the fool now and then. That’s sacred too.” in Seeker of Visions, by Lame Deer

Comming Up... {Red & Gold}

Red & Gold
Originally uploaded by Aky B

October 11, 2008 Diwali Ball
@ the Seattle Asian Art Museum, 7 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.

This will be the first year that I celebrate Diwaili!

Not ascribing to a religion has had great benefits as I am now able to roam this earth enjoying what all its people have to offer. From what I gather from my [Wikipedia] sources, it is a spiritual renaissance of sorts; an uplifting of spiritual darkness.

If you are in town and feel like joining me next Saturday, please do! More information below…

WHAT: Indian music and dance performances Bollywood and world grooves by DJ Aanshul Signature cocktail, wine and beer Indian tapasRaffle and henna Diwali surprises!

COST: $50 / Person
Includes event admission; light tapas; wine, beer and signature cocktail; dancing and entertainment.

Source & Additional Information at: http://seattleartmuseum.org/PromoCampaigns/Diwali/Default.asp

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Through My Eyes: Red & Gold by Aki B (seen above). Click to visit Aky B
Through My Ears: Fragile Wind - Nitin Sawhney
Through My Mind: Reading way too much these days...internet sources mainly.
In My Thoughts: "Don't let your past dictate who you are, but let it be part of who you will become." My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Triste Realidad * {Prisoners or Safe from Harm?}

Prisoners or Safe from Harm?
Originally uploaded by SmallRaffaela

This outstanding picture from Raffaela reminded me of a sad but true reality. How in order for us to live, or rather survive, we have become prisoners in our own homes. My beloved Caracas received the top place in an infamous group of cities recently, that of the most criminally violent cities in the world.

Caracas, la ciudad con índice más alto de violencia criminal, según revista

Fuente: EFE Noticias

Washington, 1 oct (EFE).- Caracas encabeza la lista de las cinco ciudades con los índices más altos de "violencia brutal y homicida", según un artículo que publicó hoy la revista Foreign Policy.

La capital de Venezuela, con 3,2 millones de habitantes tiene una tasa de 130 homicidios por cada 100.000 residentes, según las estadísticas oficiales, señaló la revista.

Le siguen, según el artículo, Ciudad del Cabo en Sudáfrica, con una tasa de homicidios de 62 por cada 100.000 habitantes; Nueva Orleans en EE.UU. con tasas que van de 67 a 95 por cada 100.000; Moscú con una tasa de homicidios de 9,6 por cada 100.000 habitantes, y Port Moresby en Papua Nueva Guinea con una tasa de 54 por cada 100.000 habitantes.

"La capital del país de (el presidente Hugo) Chávez se ha tornado en años recientes mucho más peligrosa que cualquier ciudad suramericana, superando aún a la otrora notoria Bogotá", indicó.

"Para peor las estadísticas oficiales de homicidio en la ciudad son muy inadecuadas porque omiten los crímenes vinculados con prisiones al igual que las muertes que el Estado nunca llega a 'categorizar' apropiadamente", según Foreign Policy.

Las cifras oficiales caraqueñas tampoco cuentan a quienes mueren "cuando se resisten al arresto", lo cual según la revista "indica que los policías de Caracas, ya famosos por su brutalidad contra los estudiantes en protestas, acomodan las cifras".

"Muchos acusan a 'El Presidente', cuyo Gobierno no ha encarado las crecientes tasas de crimen violento en el país", continuó Foreign Policy.

"De hecho, desde que Chávez llegó al Gobierno en 1998 la tasa oficial de homicidios en Venezuela ha subido un 67 por ciento, debido principalmente a la violencia de las pandillas y el tráfico de drogas", concluyó. EFE