I can't believe it is October 1st and I am getting ready to check out of the fabulous Mandarin Oriental hotel in Macau and head back to Hong Kong to catch. Flight to Saigon!
My friend Ken from Miami came to visit, celebrate his birthday and we have decided to do one of his trips with him. So I am taking my Ken to Saigon since he has never been. I wanted to go there since the art scene is really cool and that is my next adventure! The website for our new gallery is up and running and still so far to go. www.gallery2014.com take a look, I will be home third week of October and start the construction of the gallery, I know I cannot get away from building something, I love construction. In the mean time we are traveling and looking for new artists. Best of all worlds!
After Saigon we go to Hong Kong for a few days and then we go back to Istanbul for Ken's partners meeting, I had just been there in June with Lauren and a time prior to that, it is all good, this will give me the chance to photograph a place I am already familiar with.
I am also busy with trying to fundraise for my golf tournament which is November 3rd! Hopefully a beautiful day to be out and play miniature golf with the family, if you have not signed up do it now!
www.hispanicunity.org. I will post photos tomorrow, have to use my IPad for some shots as I decided to leave my computer at home and give my back a break. Last night we went to the casino, smoky and yucky, I could not hold out for the big win, but I did manage to walk away on the plus side, such good fun.
Talk soon, be well and God bless, E
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Back in Hong Kong after two months away
Hard to believe that two months have passed since my horseback riding accident. Yesterday was my first full day back in Hong Kong and I was not feeling too great. On my last flight my sinuses were giving me hell and my back was aching, finally we made it to dreary Hong Kong, back to the doom and gloom. I decided to stay in yesterday, fearful of the pollution that I was seeing outside. So I took on one of my projects, to do a self portrait. What hard work to really look at yourself and shoot yourself for hours on end. At first it was, oh my God do I really have to do this, and by the end even though I was exhausted I had fun playing and looking at myself and all of my different faces. Today the sun came out and I hit the streets, I tried out my new camera and was not really satisfied with the photos, so tomorrow I will hit the pavement again! Tonight my friend Ken and his dad Jack arrive to spend a few days in HK and then we go to Macau to celebrate Ken's birthday, following that we go to Saigon for four days. My Ken has never been to Saigon, neither has the other Ken, so this should be fun. I must say I had mixed feelings coming back to this place that has made me so sick the past nine months, but it is nice to be in my own little bubble, do what I want and not really have to worry about the rest of the world. There is a certain heaviness of being home and having obligations, one does not realize, but they certainly take a toll on you. My husband set a retirement date and I know he is looking forward to his time to start having some fun. Unfortunately for him it is in September 2014 due to his many family obligations. I pray that time pass quickly for him. Here are a few photos of todays outing, I went out to find the zoo and got sidetracked. Oh well, there is always tomorrow. The crane is a beauty and it is the national bird of Uganda.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Why do some humans abuse and take advantage of everything!
I find it really unbelievable that many people take advantage and abused everything that mother earth and the supreme being have created. I want to share this with you and hope that it raises some level of conciousness. We will soon be like many countries that are struggling for clean water, clean air and good soil. I am not sure why people feel the need to kill and destroy needlessly. This to me is heartbreaking when I see articles like this one below, or that the shark population is dying out because of Shark fin soup! Really? Below are some photos of one of my favorite animals, we can learn a lot by study and respecting these and all animals! A fantastic book (nonfiction) The Elephant Whisperer. A must read to gain a very small glimpse of these beautiful creatures.
Elephant Bloodbath: China’s Lust for Ivory Spurs Poaching Spree in Africa
In 2011, almost 40 tons of illegal ivory was seized worldwide—the equivalent of 4,000 dead elephants.
More and more elephants are being killed in Africa for their tusks, according to The New York Times. (Photo: VisionsofAmerica/Joe Sohm via Getty Images)
Elephants across Africa are currently caught in the middle of a massive slaughter as demand for luxury ivory goods skyrockets in countries such as China.
In recent months, dozens of dead elephants have been found in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, reports The New York Times. Often the meat from the elephants is left intact, but the tusks are stripped away, indicating that poachers are zeroing in on the valuable ivory.
Most of these shipments go to China—as much of 70 percent of the illegal ivory market—where elephant tusks are turned into ivory rings, chopsticks, cups and more.Conservation groups estimate that poachers are killing tens of thousands of elephants a year, the Times said, more than at any time in the last 20 years. Most of the illegal ivory seized in big shipments over the last few years comes from Kenya and Tanzania, according to a New York Times graphic.
As China’s middle class grows, more individuals can afford expensive ivory goods that they couldn’t before.
The price of ivory has grown to $1,000 per pound in the country, reported the Times. And 2011 was the biggest year on record for the amount of illegal ivory seized worldwide, with almost 40 tons—about 4,000 dead elephants.
Militaries and armed groups across Africa are also part of the hunt, smuggling tusks across borders and selling them to pay for weaponry. Poachers will wrap ivory in tinfoil, use chili peppers to throw off sniffer dogs, or conceal the valuable material in avocados—just a few of the many methods used to smuggle ivory out of Africa.
More and more animals are disappearing across the continent: elephant and rhino populations are quickly dwindling, respectively hunted for tusks and rhino horn—many in Asia believe the latter to be a cure for cancer.
“China is the epicenter of demand,” said Robert Hormats, a senior State Department official, to The New York Times. “Without the demand from China, this would all but dry up.”
Interested in learning more? Read the first installment of The New York Times’ series “The Price of Ivory” here.
What do you think should be done to reduce ivory poaching? Let us know in the comments.
Related stories on TakePart:
Friday, August 24, 2012
Stella, my misunderstood Pit bull, I love you and miss you
How one animal can make you see life through their eyes is amazing. Stella my seven month Pit bull pup, misunderstood, but so loved. I had to give Stella up yesterday for many reasons, we have to go back to Hong Kong, our life style does not lend us to have a pet, having a pet and sending them to doggy day care when one travels is not fair, gives the dog anxiety and is not what pups deserve. Stella came in to my life by chance, but she has brought back many feelings of how I felt in my youth. The black sheep, had a bad wrap, misunderstood and misrepresented. Unfortunately Pit bull's have been bought by thugs, drug dealers and punks, that have butchered the dogs ears and tails to make them look mean and given these dogs a bad name. Counties banning them, insurance companies not issuing policies to pit bull owners. They have bread them to fight them to fight them and have been abused for years. My stella, full of energy and full of love! Walking Stella everyday I could see how people reacted to her, they would see her coming and they would cross the street, when all Stella wanted was to be caressed and played with. I realized that this is how black people must feel when many white people cross the street when they see a black person coming.
How people and dogs fall in to stereotypes is beyond me, why cant people give each other the benefit
of the doubt? Stella showed me that no matter how good people are, once you have been labeled you have to work you ass off proving that this label does not apply to you, or you can simply not give a darn if you are human, but if you are a dog or any other animal you need an advocate, and I hope I was that for Stella the short time she was with me, even though my friends and family gave me constant hell for this dog. I will not waiver, Pitt bulls are just like any other dog, show them love and they will give you love, be unkind and you will get unkind. Yesterday my prayers were answered, a young woman came and she was a great fit for Stella and I gave her up. I cried and cried to see this little pup that will struggle for the rest of her life because of the label HUMANS have put on this puppy. I pray that Laura love Stella like I do and that she now will take the role of being her advocate. God's speed Stella, I love you.
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How people and dogs fall in to stereotypes is beyond me, why cant people give each other the benefit
of the doubt? Stella showed me that no matter how good people are, once you have been labeled you have to work you ass off proving that this label does not apply to you, or you can simply not give a darn if you are human, but if you are a dog or any other animal you need an advocate, and I hope I was that for Stella the short time she was with me, even though my friends and family gave me constant hell for this dog. I will not waiver, Pitt bulls are just like any other dog, show them love and they will give you love, be unkind and you will get unkind. Yesterday my prayers were answered, a young woman came and she was a great fit for Stella and I gave her up. I cried and cried to see this little pup that will struggle for the rest of her life because of the label HUMANS have put on this puppy. I pray that Laura love Stella like I do and that she now will take the role of being her advocate. God's speed Stella, I love you.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
So much to say and so little time!
Somehow it seems as if there is never enough time to sit down in front of the computer and write my thoughts.
I am going to have to make a point of setting some time once a week to try and summarize my week.
So I will start with the Olympics, I can say that the opening and closing ceremony was painful to watch, but this will be one of the most memorable summer olympics in history for me.
Seeing the first man run with carbon fiber legs, a beautiful poised young black girl make history in gymnastics, to witness Michael Phelps become a nice, humble young man. The U.S.women's 4x4 oh my God, how amazing was that! And so many more moments that I can recall.
What was so vivid in my mind is a piece that ABC did (I think it was ABC) did on the Chinese, how the focus is to zero in on the sport that gives out most medals and then focus their athletes and develop them in that specific venue to make sure they win the medal count. These kids are taken away from their families at such a young age, swatted with rulers, sitting on the floor with men standing on legs of little girls five and six years old girls crying out in pain! Someone at my home this weekend said "well at least the have a life, and most of them come from poor homes, my answer to that is that because they are poor does not mean they are unhappy! How many people do I know that are rich and unhappy! Being poor is not the equivalent to being unhappy, that is upserd. I am thrilled that the U.S. was on top with 102 metals! Just goes to show that even though these kids are dedicated beyond belief, they can still have somewhat of a "normal life" go to high school and experience what being a kid is all about!
I am going to have to make a point of setting some time once a week to try and summarize my week.
So I will start with the Olympics, I can say that the opening and closing ceremony was painful to watch, but this will be one of the most memorable summer olympics in history for me.
Seeing the first man run with carbon fiber legs, a beautiful poised young black girl make history in gymnastics, to witness Michael Phelps become a nice, humble young man. The U.S.women's 4x4 oh my God, how amazing was that! And so many more moments that I can recall.
What was so vivid in my mind is a piece that ABC did (I think it was ABC) did on the Chinese, how the focus is to zero in on the sport that gives out most medals and then focus their athletes and develop them in that specific venue to make sure they win the medal count. These kids are taken away from their families at such a young age, swatted with rulers, sitting on the floor with men standing on legs of little girls five and six years old girls crying out in pain! Someone at my home this weekend said "well at least the have a life, and most of them come from poor homes, my answer to that is that because they are poor does not mean they are unhappy! How many people do I know that are rich and unhappy! Being poor is not the equivalent to being unhappy, that is upserd. I am thrilled that the U.S. was on top with 102 metals! Just goes to show that even though these kids are dedicated beyond belief, they can still have somewhat of a "normal life" go to high school and experience what being a kid is all about!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Good to be home! Maybe?
Well I have been home for almost a week now and have gotten through most of my doctor appointments with almost flying colors, seen some of my family and friends, gone through months of mail, paid bills and try to get my home back in order. Coming home to pool problems, broken refrigerators, white fly infestation, puppy issues, amongst other things is a quick reality check, everything thrown at me all at once, why hold back? Trying to teach a nineteen year old responsibility and how to respect property, even if it is her parents home. In reality, I care about these things, but not really, after my rebirth on July 14th I really don't care much about anything, not the material at least, not that I had much importance on it before, but now there is a sense of appreciating what is really important and that is the gift of life and what we do with it! No I have not had a spiritual awakening, I think I was already on pretty solid ground where that is concerned, but lets say a reaffirmation of life, and the important things in my life that I want to continue or discard. My wish, is that my husband find peace in his life, his story to tell not mine, my daughter continue on her path, and I want be true and real with myself and my wants and needs. And then the simple task of remembering how blessed I am and LIVE my life. Too many of us get caught up in the routine and the rat race and forget to live and cherish where we are and what we have or don't have.. I am going to make sure to remind myself and those around me to slow down and enjoy these moments that are so fleeting! I am also so behind on my photos, sorry! :-( I promise this week at some point I will post, maybe when I am recovering from my sinus surgery! Have a wonderful weekend and see you soon! love and light,
E
Monday, July 30, 2012
Going Home! Florida here we come!
Tonight I leave my home in Colorado, to finally go home to Florida, even though I was home in May, this past month seems like a life time. My father in laws 85 birthday was Friday, it is so nice to see someone enjoy his family so much! I am feeling better and better each day, even though I have been limited to walking only ten minutes a day! This past weekend was the llama and burro race here in Fairplay, this is a tradition that has been around for many years. Basically people pack their burros and run with them for twenty four and a half miles. This town, is usually a sleepy little town, but when they decide to do some type of festivity, they do it right! Lauren says that Fairplay is not normal, it is a Western Disney type place. Of course when she found out that South Park the cartoon show got its name from here, her mouth dropped wide open. People for the most part are in a time warp in the part of the world. They do not care what kind of car you drive, how big your house is, or if you wear designer clothes. They care about hunting, hiking, enjoying the outdoors, and in general just appreciate life. How nice is it to not get caught up in the rat race of it all! The first photo is Lauren, me, my sis in law Nat, mother in law Lavena, Ashley (Ted's girlfriend) Ted (Ken's son) Ron my brother in law, and Chuck my father in law. The second photo, my first dinner out with my girlfriends Cheryl and Nery and my daughter Lauren. The third photo is of the Llama race in town, which was this past Saturday, this race is much easier than the burro race, the course is a mile and a half up and around town. Easy for me to say because I am not the one running with these stubborn Llamas. The fourth photo is Bob, my plumber that dresses up and plays cowboy on the weekend with his friends to have fun during the festivities. I told him I want to take part next year and play dress up! The photo of Ken and Lauren is after they finished transferring the 6070 pounds of tile from the truck to the porch! Yes that is correct 6070 pounds! My heroes. I was so happy to see this group of male Prong Horn Antelopes hanging around the fire station two days in a row! And the final photos are of a glorious sunset after I dropped my friend Nery at the airport, I had to pull over from the highway to watch this amazing sunset. My final word of advice for now, take time to enjoy the small insignificant moments in life. Those moments when relished will be the ones that at the end of the day mean the most! I have been blessed to have an amazing husband and wonderful daughter that fill my day with those cherished moments.
Here is some information on the Burro Days of Fairplay. :-)
An annual event in Fairplay, Colorado since 1948, Burro Days celebrates the role of the burro in mining days of old.
Always held during the last weekend in July, the 65th Annual Burro Days will take place on Saturday, July 27and Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Over 10,000 people participate in festivities such as: burro races, llama races, kiddies pack dog races, parades, contests, over 140 arts & crafts booths, over 30 food vendor booths, local musical entertainment, Mountain Man Rendezvous, dance & BBQ, pancake breakfast, Cowboy Church services and more!
Here is some information on the Burro Days of Fairplay. :-)
An annual event in Fairplay, Colorado since 1948, Burro Days celebrates the role of the burro in mining days of old.
Always held during the last weekend in July, the 65th Annual Burro Days will take place on Saturday, July 27and Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Over 10,000 people participate in festivities such as: burro races, llama races, kiddies pack dog races, parades, contests, over 140 arts & crafts booths, over 30 food vendor booths, local musical entertainment, Mountain Man Rendezvous, dance & BBQ, pancake breakfast, Cowboy Church services and more! 
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