a hero of hope

November 30 is Bonifacio Day in the Philippines. Like much of our islands colonized history much of remains murky and controversial. As with Andres Bonifacio, aka Maypagasa - katipunero, revolutionary, hero - Father of the Philippine Revolution. 

Andres Bonifacio - graphic by Renz Bautista for Rappler Magazine

Was he really the first president of the Philippines? Was he unjustly killed by fellow rival Emilio Aguinaldo? After all we do have a long running history of jealous politicos killing their competition. 

I see red

"Not Forgotten" by Maxine Noel

It is Thanksgiving and I have much to be grateful for even if this is the worst year I have experienced since I relocated to the US in 2006. 

"Still Dancing" by Jon Labillois

Since I have made America my homeland I have come to love Thanksgiving even more than Christmas as a holiday of observation. 

MMIW protesters

As a practitioner of shamanism it is a tradition that is fraught with conflicting stories and sentiments. 

Diwali 2020

Diwali festivities start on November 14 this year - a five day holiday celebration. It is the Hindu festival of lights, originating in India as a harvest festival, and now celebrated all over the world.

diya palms protect a diwali flame

Diwali signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, hope over despair. With the Biden/Harris win in the US elections we have cause to celebrate all these with joyous abandon.

In 1927 the Holland Tunnel under the Hudson River opened to the public, connecting New York City and New Jersey - our home for the past decade.

We mark the occasion by lighting candles and special incense, stringing up lights and major clean ups, dressing up and offering our prayers as we celebrate with family and loved ones.

May love and light bless us and happy Diwali to all!

lies we lived

I gave myself Friday, Saturday and Sunday to revel in the US election turnout. YAY Biden/Harris team! Good riddance Trump/Pence cabal. 

I gloried in the joy of the Kamala Harris win most of all. As a woman. As a mother of my daughter. As an American. An Asian American. An immigrant. A rebel. A change warrior. 

I had the great satisfaction of being happy and hopeful once again. Not having to self talk or convince myself that things will be alright. Just being immersed in the joy and delight of what if and all its possibilities. 

All of which I was beginning to doubt as highly unlikely in the shadow of a Trumpian world - the all consuming, morally rudderless, egotistical clown bus, careening out of control. 

hopeful & happy