Fireworks in Westerly

 
It was a beautiful summer day.  The sky was clear and the air was dry.  The sun was shining brightly down from the blue sky.  The drive to Westerly was very nice.  We were heading there to see fireworks.  We did not really know what to expect because that was our first time there.

When we arrived, we parked about half a mile to three-quarters of a mile from the spot where fireworks was going to take place.  We walked to the spot with a sheet, some sweaters and snacks.  We arrived at a place that looked like a football field, with basketball court to one side.  Just a step below the basketball court were some portable bathrooms, lined up in a row.  People were huddled in groups.  Some were chatting, while others listened to music.  Some people played basketball to pass the time until it became dark.

When it got dark, we all sat on our sheet, which was placed next to our friends and their children.  I had my cell phone with me waiting to take a picture of the firework.  We got cozy and the first shot went up in the air, "bang"!  My daughter, who has autism, got really frightened and told me she had to go use the toilet.  I took her and waited outside.  She did not want to come out.  I really had to bang on the door and worked hard at convincing her to come out.  Once she was out, we huddled around her and gave her a blanket to wrap around her ears so that the noise would not bother her too much.  The firework display was gorgeous.  Everyone enjoyed themselves and people were very curteous and peaceful.

Flea Market in Seekonk

Once in awhile we like to stroll down aisles in a flea market to see if there is any lost treasures we can uncover or if we can get something useful for a low price.  The latest flea market we went to was the one in Seekonk, MA.  It was pretty big, actually.  The parking was a bit congested but we parked our car quickly and moved on to the selling area. 

The most difficult part was trying to keep everyone together while we looked at things.  I usually ended up not really looking at too many things because I spent most of the time either patrolling or watching what the children were doing.  My biggest fear is someone getting lost.

There were some areas that sold only old items.  The items looked like they spent much time in someone's basement.  Some people were selling art work and books.  Some of the most popular things on sale were sun glasses, jewelries, and vegetables which looked to be home grown or garden grown.  Even if we would not buy anything, it was fun to watch people interact.

Driving in East Greenwich

I work in West Warwick.  It is very close to East Greenwhich, where my friends live.  I often go further south for doctors visit, etc.  Once in a while, we take a trip to our friends house and I really enjoy the ride there.  There is something about the ride south that is comforting and relaxing, especially when there are few cars on the rode.  The highways are pretty big and offers big lane spaces.

When we get down to East Greenwich, I really enjoy the greenery.  The children sometimes get to see cows and horses and they will yell out the animal names in excitement!  It is a really nice town for a relaxing drive.

Block Island

We went on the ferry to block island not too long ago.  It was my first time going so I did not know what to expect.  It was much colder than I thought, especially when the sun was blocked by the clouds and misty sprits of water combined with wind brushed against any exposed skin.  Nonetheless, I was convinced on having a good time.  I had loose clothing on and did not layer up so it got very chilly at times while on the boat.  I stayed indoors most of the time and came out every now and then to get some fresh air.  It sure was no relaxing or romantic boat ride.  The waves were pretty harsh.

After we landed, I scoped out the area by eye very quickly.  There were many stores for shopping.  The first thing we did was go into a gift store and buy a sweater.  We then rented some mopeds and rode around.  That was also my first time on one.  I obviously rode in the back while someone else drove.  It was exhilarating!

While on the moped, we noticed some kids trying to ride their bikes down a very steep and tall hill, filled with trees and forestry.  I remember thinking to myself that they must be crazy!  We stopped by a few different spots and eventually went to eat at a restaurant.  I ordered steamers since we were at the seafood spot.  It was delicious and worth the money.  What I also loved about the area was that many foreign students worked there in the summer time.  I really do enjoy listening to the different accents and watching people.  It was a fun time and I hope that I can do it again soon.  Next time, I will be wearing sunblock even if the sun is not out.  During the last trip, I got burned even though it was very cloudy.

Roger Williams Park Botanical Garden

Every day hectic life can get to be too much.  Once in awhile, I seek a quiet place for some serenity.  I really enjoy going to the Botanical Garden at the Roger Williams Park.  Not only is it inexpensive but it offers a nice variety of plants and even a small koi pond for the eyes' delight.  It only costs $3.00 each for those who are 12 years or older, $1.00 each for those under 12 years old, and it is free for children under 6 years of age.
 
Outside, there are the more hardy plants that are indigenous to our weather.  There are trees, some shrubs, and some flowers.  They are arranged for the eyes to wander.  The design is very simple but very pretty.

Upon entering the greenhouse, the water fountain greets me.  Behind it are some beautiful giant foliage all arranged as supporting background to the beautiful water feature.  To the side of the fountain are some more giant palm-like trees and some trees and have red floral tresses dangling at eye view.  Across from the fountain is a hall way that takes us to the next room.  In the next room there are smaller trees and low ground plants.  Enormous leaves adorn them.  They are arranged and scaled with perfect balance.  It feels so peaceful here.  I could sit down somewhere and read a book or just rest.

Children love to look at the small pond filled with koi fish of various colors.  They like the fact that they can get close and see clearly how the fish swim around.  It really is a nice place to take pictures with family.


 Across from the pond there is a circular opening on a decorative wall.  Through there, I see third room where there is a smaller fountain to the left side of the room.  The fountain is surrounded by some lemon and lime trees which bear fruit.  Here, the children like to dip their hands in the water and sometimes splash it.  Walking down the narrow room to the other side, I am met with cactus and other varieties of plants from the drier habitat.  These are exotic and beautiful as well.  It is always nice to come here to de-stress.

Family Visit to WA State

When I think of WA State, I think of apple trees so I am posting this picture I found on the web.  I found it under the topic of WA and apple trees.






Traveling to WA State was a different experience.  Although we did not go to too many of the tourist locations, it was nice to see long distance family after many years of separation.  The weather was usually cloudy and misty with showers but the sun would shine in between precipitation.  What the sky was going to dish out was mostly unpredictable, but then again, we were not keeping up with the news or weather channel.  Who wants to do that?  It wasn't like what we planned on doing needed precise weather anyway.

After seeing how they lived, I learned why my cousins speak in such a slow, dragging sort of tone.  They are more layed back and relaxed there when compared to how we live here, in the East coast.  Many of the houses in Olympia, WA, where my cousins lived, were far from one another.  They did not have to worry about their neighbors seeing or hearing everything they did.  The streets were pretty much quiet.  The only excitement we could find on the streets were mostly garter snakes wriggling around.  Everywhere we went, there was one kind of apple tree or another.  I really liked this.

During the day, the children would walk to nearby small diners and order simple food or go to convenient stores for some yummy candies!  In her spare time, my aunt would go to the areas where she was able to pick decorative leaves and mushrooms to make some extra money.  They pay by the pounds.  I was excited because mushrooms is one of my favorite things to eat!

During one of the nights, we went to see a live band.  My cousin's wife is a singer who performs in casinos and restaurants so we got the pleasure of seeing her and her band perform live music in our native language.  As the days passed, we had picnics, house visits and simply driving around and checked out different locations.  All in all, it was a great experience and I would do it again even if it just to see and spend time with the family.

AA Meeting: Cultural Submersion

Since we have been learning and reading about cultural submersion, I thought it would be good to write about the experience in an AA meeting.  A few semesters back, I had to do an assignment for my Psychology class on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.  I had to locate and attend an AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meeting so we can experience and see what those who attend regularly would do.  We were to put ourselves in their position and see how difficult it is to admit and share our vulnerable side.

I have to say that I was surprised by a few things.  First, these meetings are not always held in the same place.  Sometimes, they move from one location to another and you have to check a schedule to follow the same group or you can attend different groups.  I always thought that you just go to the same place all the time.  Second, most of these support groups are religiously affiliated.  I did not know this!  When I was there, I had to pray and hold hands with other people, which is completely out of my comfort zone and character.  I felt very uneasy.  I am not a non-believer but showing affection or praying in public is not my practice.  I was brought up in a Buddhist culture and our Asian custom does not encourage display of affection too often, never mind showing it in public. 

Although I was uncomfortable, I have much respect for those who attend these meetings.  It gives them a differnt atmosphere and relationship alternatives that are different from the one that may be poisonous to their recovery.  Most who attend depend on this sanctuary to forget about their habits and they get a chance to offer encouragement to others as well as receive them.

Culture Clash

 This is a picture of a rice paddy in Cambodia, taken from the web.  It shows one aspect of how we lived and the source of our main staple, rice.








The biggest culture clash that I've experienced and witnessed has got to be when we first came to America.  We came in 1980.  We came from a very agragrian type of society that would be considered non-developed or under-developed nation.  We basically lived off the land and lived day to day hunting, gathering, and growing our own food.  There were no electricity or plumbing where we lived.  When our country was war stricken we had to drop everything and leave.  I was much younger then but my family expected to be able to return once the war was over.  What we did not realize was that the war took much longer than we anticipated and circumstances led us here.

On the plane, my mother had extreme motion sickness.  We had only the clothing that we wore and a few small items that we took with us.  I know that my mother was worried about how we were going to live here in the U.S.  "We did not know the language.  We never lived in a city before so how would we do in a city of an advanced country?  How will we learn to cope, communicate, and function as regular people?"  These were the things on our mind while we were on that long flight.

When we got here, it was winter.  I was afraid of the escalator so after everyone was already off the escalator, I was still at the top trying to figure out when it was safe enough to put my feet down.  Luckily, there was an older man that we knew who came back to carry me on the escalator.  My brother was wearing my grandfather's boxers because he had only one pair of pants and he had wet it on the plane.  After a long travel, we finally went to our new crowded apartment which we shared with five families.  It was a good thing that my aunts and uncles, two couples, did not have any children yet.  There were seven children, including me, living in the same apartment.

The most memorable time was when someone told us that it was snowing outside.  We had never seen snow before and we did not know it looked like.  I imagined that it must be cubes of ice that drop from the sky.  I remember thinking that it would hurt if we were outside.  When we went out to see the actual thing, it was fluffy and made up of small ice shave like particles.  Some people actually made frozen drinks out of it.  This was all new and exciting to us and the beginning of many explorations and learning opportunities.

Crowded Place: Boat Festival in Lowell, MA

     Once a year, sometimes in July, there is a boat festival held in Lowell, MA.  The boat festival is a Southeast Asian tradition carried over from such countries as Thai, Laos, and Cambodia.  In this particular event held in the state of MA, certain people from each of the mentioned countries form a team to represent their country and compete in a rowing event.  The boats are usually canoe-like but much longer and it is usually crafted with details of an animal, such as a dragon, to demonstrate the ferocity of the strength of the boat and its inhabitants.
     From what I can remember, besides all the cultural aspects of this festival, it can be very crowded.  It is very difficult to maneuver around the crowd there, especially in the 90 degrees and over heat.  I found that it is not wise to bring small children because I am constantly looking back to see if my daughter is behind me and trying to make sure that I do not lose her.  Also, when I stop from one booth to the next, I am always checking to make sure that our group stays together.  For this reason, instead of enjoying my time and instead of seeing everything that is offered here, it feels more like a chore.
     It is so crowded that someone's body part is brushing up against us almost every second.  Although the atmosphere is stuffy and traffic moves slowly, we do get to see a few items and activities.  We see some hand crafted art work from the different countries.  We manage to taste a few dishes that are sold by different people who set up tents for the festivities.  We get to try some ice coffee and other cold drinks which have flavors native to one of the celebrated countries.  We even get to see a live show which is graced with the presence of some famous faces of the celebrated countries as well as that of some local activists and teenagers.
     Somewhere between all these events and activities, we catch glimpses of those who row their boats in the lake.  All in all, it is a fun and exciting day.  By the end of the day, we are ready to get some rest and relaxation.  By this time, a nice cool shower is due as well after the long drive home to Providence, RI

Fishing in Narragansett, RI

It was not easy finding my way back to the blogger site and log on.  I felt like I traveled to the moon and back.  I wrote a few paragraphs and lost it all.  In this case, I felt like I came back to Earth after a trip to the moon and forgot something very important there.  So, I went back to get it...

I do not have any rock climbing, marathon running, sky diving experience to share.  My story is simple.  We went fishing last summer in a spot near the Narragansett beach.  Usually, it was fun and relaxing.  This time, we went with my three children: Cheyenne (13 years old daughter with autism), Avery (3 years old son), and Evan (1.5 year old son).  Was I crazy?  Yep. 

The spot had big rocks for us to walk on.  Most of them were flat.  I stayed further away from the crashing wavers, of course.  Although far away from the water, it was still very nerve wrecking for me because I was constanly keeping my eyes on the children.  Fighting for their turn, the boys asked me to carry them again and again.  Cheyenne would pace around back and forth.  We looked at puddles of water which got trapped in between rock crevices and searched for any signs of life.  Although this is a fishing trip, I technically did not get to do any fishing.  I was the observer and person who explained everything that happened.  As fun as it was, it was exhausting to be on constant alert for any possible danger.

After we packed up, we stopped by a local food venue for some clam cake and calamari.  We ate it on the way home.  About five minutes into the ride home, my head and the children's heads leaned to one side and our mouths open.  We all fell asleep, except for driver (my husband), of course.  When we got home, it was a relief, but the task of washing up everybody still hung heavily in my head.  Although the trip was not physically demanding, the idea of being on high alert sure was tiresome...  Home, sweet home, that was all I could think.

1st Post (Hello!)

Hi everyone!  Here is the blog I started for travel writing.  I will share all details of any traveling I do here.  I hope you like it.  Happy blogging...