Michael Jackson

Today is the day that Michael Jackson died.  I’m in shock.  Such a talented person.  I grew up listening to Michael Jackson, and the Jackson 5.  I loved grooving to the Jackson 5 when I was a kid, and dancing to Michael Jackson’s music during my teens.  Just a few weeks ago, Damien and I were listening to his great music.  Here’s a link to one of the best Jackson 5 songs ever, and it’s how I like to remember Michael Jackson:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej1DCv2JED0&feature=related

Bharatanatyam

It all started in 2003, when I attended an ethnic dance performance at the Scottish Rite Temple in New Orleans.  While I waited for a bellydance routine to begin, several gorgeously costumed and bejewelled dancers glided onto the stage.  Then the ta-ka-dhi-mi rhythm began, accentuated by their stamping feet.  I was stunned by the exquisite beauty of the dance, and the complex music – none of which I’d ever seen nor heard before.  I thought what is this, and what do I have to do to learn it?  I almost stumbled over myself after the show as I looked for the dancers and their teacher.  I noticed a tall young lady in the middle of them who was not costumed, but wore a lovely Indian dress which I didn’t realize at the time as a sari.  I was surprised to learn that this person was their teacher – she looked like a student herself.  I was too shy to ask if I could learn, but I later found out her email address and translated in my best King’s English what is this, and what do I have to do to learn it?  The most I remember of my first class is that I was the only one there, and I couldn’t walk properly for about a month after.  Six years later, despite natural disasters like hurricanes, often being the only non-Indian student, often being the oldest student, I am still learning and am still stunned by the exquisite beauty of the dance.  It is my closest link to the Divine.

Guru ji and me

Varnam

Bharatanatyam Dancers

Bharatanatyam Dancers

Guru ji & Little Siya

Natalya’s Adventures in NOLA

Things were a bit lonely at my office before Natalya came to town.  It was just me and the pups working away at the kitchen island.  Then Natalya brought her sewing maching and set it up next to my computer.  While I type, she creates amazing quilts:

Step into Natalya's Office

Isn’t she talented!  I gained a daughter-in-law, and a coworker!  My office is a lot more fun these days!

We recently saw the movie Up, and I must say we all looked like movie stars in our 3D glasses:

Movie Stars at "Up"

On Father’s Day, we attended Damien and Natalya’s first crawfish boil.  Eden had her first crawfish boil this summer as well.  Natalya has been especially brave as she hasn’t been exposed to as much “ethnic” food as her husband and sister-in-law:

You want me to try what?

We survived our first Crawfish Boil!

Eden aka Killer

With delicate blue eyes like her father, she came into this world like a little songbird out of a cage.  The doctor said, “It looks like an Eden.”  As a baby, she sang the household awake with her gentle cooing.

Like the blissful place she is named for,  she is lushly beautiful in spirit and countenance.  If you took her at face value, you wouldn’t believe under any circumstance that she could have earned the nickname “Killer”.  Eden has an iron will, and she’ll try almost anything once — provided it is in line with her sense of justice, fairness, compassion and honesty – and of course, humor.  There is something disarming and quite stunning about her sense of humor.  It’s madcap, slipped-on-the-banana-peel, where-did-that-come-from kind of jocularity that sneaks up on you and next thing you know, you’re throwing your coffee cup into the air.  One summer morning at McDonald’s I was enjoying my coffee as Eden was supposedly enjoying the playscape.  Without warning, she slipped quietly behind me and exclaimed “BOO!”  My coffee cup sailed through the air.  For a second, we were both startled – me for the shock of having my sweet child scare the dickens out of me, and her for not expecting me to throw my morning peace keeper into the air.  We laughed for hours after that.

Another Eden surprise:  For the dance recital in 2008, she flew to Houston to see me perform!  Being a college student at the time, she worked out the arrangements and paid for her flight – just to surprise me and see me dance onstage.  Since my teacher relocated to Houston after Hurricane Katrina, that is where I’ve continued my classes with her.  I was already excited that my partner Tricia was coming to see me perform.   As I poised myself to give Tricia a big hug at the airport gate, my jaw dropped when I saw her with Eden in tow!  Good thing I didn’t have a coffee cup in my hand!  I had often wished that my children could see a live Bharatanatyam performance and be able to hear the live intricate Carnatic music, but I never really pictured that I would look out into the audience and actually see Eden there!

Damien

About those two years on a mission …  In 2004, Damien was called to serve in Belgium and northern France for two years.  My sanity lost its moorings a bit that first year.  Not knowing exactly where he was, and the lack of communication, proved to be more than I could really stand at times.  But that was just my experience.  I can’t imagine what it was like to put your life on hold at 19 to go to a strange land and try to convince people to join your religion.  And speak French.   These things Damien did without question or hesitation.  He never complained, often finding humor in situations that weren’t so funny while they were happening.  He was more than just a “salesperson” for his church – he reached out to people in need and gave encouragement however he could.  In his letters, he spoke warmly of the people he spent time with – people from all walks of life and religious beliefs.  When he returned, I rediscovered him – he was now a man of courage and compassion.  This is a spiritual man.  I still cannot believe I am his mother.

Damien & me 2003

Elder O & Friend

NY 2002

Wedding Day

My Best Friend Sharon

I enjoyed lunch today with my best childhood friend, Sharon.  With our iced tea glasses, we toasted the fact that we’ve known each other for almost 40 years!  One of the earliest memories I have of growing up in Norco was Sharon being crowned Queen at the Sacred Heart of Jesus School Fair.  We were six years old.  She was the prettiest girl – and I must say that she still deserves the crown!  We’ve lost our childhood photographs, including the ones from that event, thanks to Hurricane Katrina.  But she still has the crown!

Sharon’s parents became my godparents when I was baptized into the Catholic church around the time of that fair.  I loved going over the my Nanan and Piran’s house.  They were an amazing Italian family  – always cooking and laughing together.  There was a bit of competition in the kitchen over which of them was the better cook.  There was often music floating from their deluxe record player / stereo system in the living room.  Sometimes, Nanan and Piran would dance together to the music. 

A few years ago, Sharon showed me the Italian way to make spaghetti and meatballs.  For all my attempts to copy her art of cooking, she still gets the crown!

Sharon & Friends - High School

Nanan

Piran

Eden’s a College Graduate!

My #1 daughter  Eden is the first to graduate!  (Damien sacrificed two years of his life to serve a mission for his church in Europe.  He’ll graduate in April!)  Here she is, showing the world that she is the #1 graduate, before her big brother Damien!  She is going to be the very best schoolteacher ever!

Swamp Tours

As requested by Natalya, we took a swamp tour recently.  About 13 years ago, I took the same swamp tour with Damien, Eden, Sally and my niece Gracie.  Way back then, the boats were not covered.  We roasted.  Damien and I were relieved when we saw that the boats were covered this time!  We were happy to see that some things remained the same – such as alligators that like marshmallows.

Biker Babes

Everyone wants to ride on Tricia’s bike!  She’s an excellent driver.  Here she is with two of her favorite passengers:

Goodbye Kitty

Eden and I went to Bicycle Michael’s in the Quarter recently, where we saw interesting artwork: