Blue Dusk

Blue Dusk
Originally uploaded by nieve44.

Music: Mi Amor, Armik
Mood: Rubia

I captured this sunset on Sunday evening. We had had a picture perfect sunny and breezy weekend but alas on Sunday evening the clouds were rolling in and brought some much needed rain overnight and most of Monday. Unfortunately, as we get closer to May and June the weather will be changing to the dreaded heat of summer. :-(

...by the way, I am listening to Yahoo's Ottmar Liebert Fan Radio Station, which is quite nice. Ottmar's music is interspersed with other New Age artists.

My Little Sister

Maria

In my previous blogs, I've mentioned Maria and a blogger pal asked who is Maria? I realized I never got around to answering that question. So here's the story. I mentored Maria for 8 years through a mentoring program here in Houston, which is called Big Brothers, Big Sisters. So biologically, Maria is not my little sister but after watching her grow up for 8 years she might have well have been. Maria's mother died of cancer when she was 8 and we were matched when she was 10. Within the first year of our match she and I were highlighted in a United Way Commercial. In fall of 2003, I was awarded the Big Sister of the Year and Maria wrote a very touching poem which was framed and presented to me by the agency and a memento that I treasure dearly and hangs in my office. The above picture is one of my favorites of Maria as it was taken on the evening of the gala where I was honored.

Today, Maria is a freshman at college and unfortunately I don't get the chance to see her very much these days but we do speak on occasion. She's all grown up and moved on and made a new life for herself. For the broken winged bird that I nurtured finally realized she could fly and fly she has and I wish her joy in her adventures. I miss you Maria and the times we spent and no matter the miles or the distance between us I will always be your loving Big Sister.

For Ms. Luci

Bouquet1
Originally uploaded by nieve44.

Friday was a special day as I attended an Awards Luncheon to honor 2 year Community College Graduates where I work. Door prizes are given away to students and one of the biggest, most beautiful door prizes is the $75 Floral Arrangement, which is coveted by every one who attends the luncheon each year. This year the lucky student was Rashaun but on his way to the podium and as he passed me by he murmured something to which I didn't understand. He went straight to the microphone and announced that the floral arrangement he just won was for "Ms. Luci...for her guidance, her mentorship, her support and motivation and believing in him when he didn't believe in himself." Needless to say, I was surprised by his gesture and humbled by his words and graciously accepted his gift.

Additional photos of this beautiful arrangement can be seen on Flickr.

Frida Artbox...for Borya

Artbox1
Originally uploaded by nieve44.

I mentioned a while back that I had an art box of Frida Kahlo, which is something similar to the La Semana LE Box by Ottmar. The artbox is beautiful and comes with picture cards and a small booklet about Frida. You can find additional photos on Flickr as well.

A Heart Wide Open

Beside Ottmar Liebert one of my favorite local (Texas) artists is Tish Hinojosa and she recently released her new album, "A Heart Wide Open". I've had the pleasure of meeting her twice and she is always gracious and welcoming by signing autographs after her concerts. She's playing near Austin in June and I might be taking a trip up to Marble Falls as it just so happens that's one of my vacation weeks.

April Come She Will...

Spring 2005

April Come She Will
When streams are ripe and swelled with rain;
May, she will stay,
Resting in my arms again.

June, she'll change her tune,
In restless walks she'll prowl the night;
July, she will fly
And give no warning to her flight.

August, die she must,
The autumn winds blow chilly and cold;
September I'll remember
A love once new has now grown old.

The above is one of my favorite songs by Simon & Garfunkel. Sadly, the month of April will be coming to a close and when May gets here so will the hot, humid weather of which I abhor. Already, thinking of where I can escape the heat for a brief vacation this summer. Unfortunately, trips I had planned to Spain and India have fallen by the wayside so we'll see what the winds of change bring in the next coming months.

New Bloom...another Angel with wings!  

Lily White

 

Too bad one cannot attach the scent of these flowers onto a picture. Amazing how flowers can brighten up a room. The flowers seem angelic to me because of their pure white color. Perhaps tomorrow the bulbs will have opened, which could mean that an angel will be given his wings. :-) As I'm blogging, I'm listening to the live version of Poets & Angels, which seems appropriate for this picture.

What's in a Name?

 

I found this some years back and have it hanging in my room. Funny how over the years we take on different names. On the internet I go by Luz, which does mean light in Spanish or by Nieve which means snow. I once read a book about this young girl who was called Luz de Nieve and have always liked that. Family members call me Lucy and other nicknames have been Luzer, Lu, and others I'm embarassed to mention. Professionally, I go by Luci and many ask why I spell my name with an I not a Y...well if you drop off the (lle) it gives you the new hip way to spell my name! lol

Longing 4...

Music: La Semana, Ottmar Liebert
Mood: Yearning

I pressed play on my portable CD player, which is set on random and Longing from La Semana begins to play and finds me...

Longing 4 silence from the trains passing by all the time
Longing 4 spring to last through the summer
Longing 4 fall to be here again
Longing 4 a blue, clear sky
Longing 4 a view of the mountains
Longing 4 the view of a million stars up in the sky
Longing 4 that special touch, embrace, passionate kiss & the whisper of "I love you"
Longing 4 a stroll on market day
Longing 4 long, silky, shiny hair
Longing 4 my own house
Longing 4 enough time to read all the books I want to read
Longing 4 recognition of an outstanding job performance
Longing 4 for dear friends & family from far away and distant pasts to be near and in the present
Longing 4 a child I could call my own
Longing 4 another magical carrousel

My list could go on and on but the underworld is taking me away for now.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles...

I hate TRAINS! In the past hour I have heard a train pass by every twenty minutes!!! IS THIS NECESSARY?! Just the other day, I was waiting for a train and finally, the last car is in sight but wait...here came another train from the other side! My window is vibrating from the train as I write and you can still hear the horns long after the first car has past by. AND THEN...there are the airplanes...why is it that the smallest airplane seems to make the louder noises?

Finally, Texas is known as the truck capital of the world and lately it seems like the bigger the truck the smaller the man behind the wheel!! Because, he thinks he's safe driving a BIG truck, he thinks he can also drive 80 miles an hour down the freeway, weaving in and out of traffic. Additionally, when these monster trucks are making their way into a parking space they take up nearly two spaces, which leaves no room for individuals in other cars to get in or out of their car. Finally, I had enough. I wanted to key the car so bad but I did the next best thing. I found a piece of paper and addressed it to Dear A..hole: Since you took it upon yourself to park so close to my car without any regard as to how I could get in or out I took it upon my self to leave a dent in your truck and maybe next time you'll think twice before doing the same thing. I quickly placed the note on the windshield and took off...just to the other side of the parking lot where I could still see him but he couldn't see me. Finally after waiting about 20 minutes...the idiot walks to his truck and I'm still laughing from watching him reading the note and pacing all around the truck looking for that dent. PRICELESS!

Amur

Amur
Originally uploaded by nieve44.

I'm borrowing this pic from my Blogger pal Boris. Not quite sure where Amur is and if it's a sunset or sunrise photo. Nonetheless, I love this photo and quite appropriate after having watched the Pope's funeral this morning. I had so wanted to go and attend a midnight candlelight vigil this morning but opted instead to stay home, light my own candle and watch the service on television. It's been an emotional week of sorts but another day is dawning and while it's Friday, duty calls and time to get ready for work. RIP JPII.

Denver 1993

Pope John Paul
Originally uploaded by nieve44.

My rememberance of my journey to Denver for the World Youth Conference in 1993. It was the second trip I would make to be a witness to this man of faith. I had the priviledge of traveling to Rome in 1984 for the first World Youth Conference at the Vatican.


Quite frankly, those were two experiences that took my breath away and certainly wonderful memories during this special time in History. My emotions have run the gamut as I've been glued to the TV these past few days and plan on staying up to watch the funeral on Friday.