Moorea

                                                         

After a well needed night's sleep, we woke up to our second day in Tahiti. We were

excited about our next destination, a mote villa on the Western side of Moorea.

There we planned to rest, read, snorkel and sea kayak. We are experienced enough travelers

that we only needed an hour to get dressed, fill out bellies and pack before heading out to the

ferry that would transport us to Moorea. We normally travel with only one carry-on luggage and

a day pack per person. It makes for smoother traveling. We stopped at the Papeete market for a

few last minute food items and then made our way to the ferry. As we boarded, I said to Amara,

"I seem to take you guys to a lot of islands and on a lot boats." Her reply was something to the

effect of, "I didn't notice." (Costa Rica, Panama, Koi Chang, Hawaii, New York,

the Keys, it seems we always end up on a boat and on an island!) I love it when they have

smart answers like that. They keep me laughing!

A quick thirty ride and we arrived. We grabbed our bags, got a rental car and headed West.

Along the way we made an impromptu stop at a small beachside craft market. There were many

pearl sellers (pearls are famous here, apparently) with similar products but also some local artists

with unique items. One gentleman, Bernard, when I informed him that the girls do a lot of art

and that Havana was an artist spenta significant amount of time explaining what he made and how he made the dyes and his art.

He asked Havana mature questions about what medium she uses, what she paints (she

said she prefers abstract) and shared some interesting tidbits about art. I loved that he spoke

to the girls in such a respectful and interested manner. It engaged them and left them both inspired.

And we left with a couple of his pieces.

From there we continued on, awestruck at the beauty and thankful for the two lane road that had very few cars. The pace was tranquil. We pulled over a few times to take in the breathtaking turquoise waters. Only once before had I ever seen water that color blue and that was in Samoa. At one point, I saw a dirt road heading towards the water. I turned around, pulled in and we had a short but very sweet pit stop along the magnificent coastline. Everyone was inspired to put their feet in the water. There were some locals playing Tahitian reggae from their car radio and there were young children playing in the water, We did some dancing. We were smiling. We were in awe of the most spectacular landscape and the mana of the island filled our hearts. Deep gratitude and peace settled in.

When we reached out 'resort' (I put that in quotes because it was nothing like the typical resorts one sees on Miami Beach, Waikiki or Cancun), we settled into our well kept, Polynesian villa with a porch that was almost directly over the water. The pier that lead out to the coral reefs (which we soon discovered were a snorkelers paradise) was at our doorsteps. This would also for frequent walks to the water to take in the glorious views or to take swim. From there we would witness sting rays, sharks and the full moon over Tahiti. We also got to take in the most picturesque sunsets we'd ever been blessed to lay our eyes on.

All in all, it was a very good day.

Tahiti

I have a deep draw to the Polynesian culture and land that was formed unexpectedly in the early 2000's. It start when unexpectedly when I was in grad school. During my first couple of years working on my Masters, I had also been traipsing around the Caribbean and Central America during my quarterly breaks. It was then that I started to have this vivid, reoccurring dream. In this dream, I was in a canoe, in the dark, paddling in the vast South Pacific ocean, always heading West. I was alone, paddling and paddling, heading towards a place that was pulling me like the full mood pulls the tide. 

I had never been to the South Pacific. I was a Caribbean girl. Having had lived there in my early twenties and traveling back and forth for over a decade. The South Pacific was nowhere in my conscious thoughts. I had a list of locations I wanted to visit. The South Pacific (even Hawaii) was not on that list. And even though dreams have long guided, informed and prophesized many aspects of my life (and the lives of those close to me), I had never had reoccurring dreams. (and I have not had any such dreams prior or since.) But this dream, it would happen every few weeks, for months on end.  I would wake up with the sense, in the core of my being, that there was somewhere I had to go in that part of the world. 

Then in September 2001, I was called to travel to Oz.  Australia was on list of places I longed to see and I was excited to visit the land down under, to experience the land, original people's culture and to see the wildlife. I clearly recall looking out the window, down at the vast ocean and thinking, "that's where my boat is." Oz was an incredible adventure and then 9/11 happened while I was there. That is a story for another day but I will say this, on the return fight, over the South Pacific, I remembered that dream again and this time thought, "Well, I am not heading towards the destination that is calling me but at least I am flying over it." And guess what, those dreams stopped. For about three months. 

They returned in full force, every few weeks for over year. Finally, while sitting with where to travel during my next break (mind you, I worked two jobs, including live in-home care,  while in grad school, to fund my excursions. Work hard, play hard!), I thought, "it's time to go to the South Pacific to see what this is all about." It took time to decided where exactly but eventually Fiji and Western (non-American) Samoa won out.

Those trips are yet another story but in order to tie all this together, I will say that Fiji was okay but Samoa. Wow. When I got off the plane at 5 a.m. and saw the most breathtaking sunset and felt the energy of that island, I knew this was where I was meant to be. After a too short of time exploring two of her islands, I returned home. And the dreams never returned. I know I will return there one day. I may bring the family but one day, it may be the place I go to and do not return.

I had only one another Polynesian dream. It was a single event. In 2005 had a dream that I was flying over Honolulu, just above the freeway, in a Jetson's type of vehicle. It was all so real, so vivid. I could see the cars, the traffic. Yet this was place I'd never been to. And then I heard a voice say, 'this is home.' I was a flight not too long after and my love affair with Pele and Hawaii has been going strong ever since. I have been to the islands about 15 times and the kids about 8 times. Both their plane rides were at 4 months old, to Kauai. But O'ahu remains the place I love the most. I would, and I just might yet, live there one day.

My family and friends all know the deep love I have of Samoa and Hawaii. What I have not always shared is a pastime of looking at a map of the various island in the South Pacific and my obsession with tracking flight fares. For over 15 years, I have longed to come to travel to other places in this remote, tropical part of the world. Over those years, we have been blessed to travel to some far flung, amazing locations and had some life changing experiences. But this part of the world, it called but was always out of reach. And then, recently, I saw a flight alert. I had been contemplating returning to New  York, visiting friends, family, going to the theatre, hiking in the woods upstate. But there it was, the enormous increase in airfares except for flights to Tahiti. With some hesitation, I brought it up to my cousins who told me I was crazy for even considering New York. They were right. This was my time to return to the place that pulls me like the tide on the full moon.

Fast forward a few months and here I am, at 5 am, writing my story. I keep this blog for the girls, that one day, they can read it and not only have memories of their lives adventures but I want them to know me more deeply. Yes, I share things with them. We are open, honest and close. But they are still children (well, teens now!) and reading this when they are older may sit differently later on. I choose to schlepp my computer with me this trip, to write more in the present moment versus going home and reliving it all. I enjoy that but I wanted to see how this felt this time around. 

So here is my first Tahiti post of the girls first trip to this part of the world. Hawaii is in the South Pacific too but it's 3,000 miles away.  It's only been a few days so far. It's always bumpy after traveling overnight, time changes, etc. But so far so good. Only a few mild earthquakes, which did not last long. We had to switch locations the first night in Papeete because the previous travelers had covid and could not leave the unit (not surprisingly though, Covid has been minor here compared to the rest of the world). We ended up in a place that was okay except for the cockroaches. It was a good lesson on living in the tropics. We were able to go walk around the city. Amara and I made a beeline for the most wonderful Papeetee market (we will have to return to do souvenir shopping as we mostly got produce). I have to confess, I ended up with a tin Hello Kitty basket but mostly we looked with our eyes wide open at the vibrant colors on the crafts, fabrics and produce. And the people were warm, friendly and welcoming. It is French Polynesia (I won't get started on my anti-imperialist thoughts here) but at least that meant some good begets and cheese. Our first dinner, in our little airbnb was just that. Simple but yummy. Traveling allows for experiencing the difficult, the challenging, the fun, the out of the box. 

Here are some photos of our first day or so.

I found a New Age type shop near the market. The women who owned it were open and lovely. Meeting people like that, spontaneously, is one of the great things about traveling.

Exploring the City. It was warm and the air was fresh.

No idea what this was but I had to take a photo!

French bread; I have been off bread since last Fall. But I could not help myself from buying a loaf with cocoa in it!!

Welome Rio Ri Ri

 

In late March, we fostered a feral mama cat and her five kittens. At two weeks old, they were teeny tiny. Especially the runt, who we called Rio or Ri Ri for short. He weighed in at half a pound. I was told he did not have a good chance. That worried me and put the Jewish mama into high alert to make sure I helped him have a fighting chance. Every 2-3 hours, every day for weeks, I would make his formula, put it in his little bottle and go out and feed him. It did not take long for him to get used to my voice. I'd come into the room and he wiggle out of his kitty pile, meow and crawl towards me. I was the milk person and the cuddle person. His mama did not pay too much attention (she nursed the others but I don't think she nursed him) and I soon became the surrogate. 

Within several weeks, he got bigger (not by much) and stronger. He'd play with his siblings, cause mischief and nurse his milk in my lap until he fell asleep. By this time, I was a goner for Rio Ri Ri. I knew there was only a slim chance I would be able to let someone else claim him. So when the time came for his siblings to be put up for adoption, I started introducing him to the house and the other cats. He took to us all immediately and it felt like he felt he belonged with us all along. He explored, he played and mostly he would purr and purr when he held and cuddled him. Still a tiny thing, I knew that I could not let him go when the thought of that caused me to began bawling. That all said, Rio Rio Rio is now part of the Davi-Coughlin household. He loves Kai and the other cats, he loves us and we are head over heels with him. Welcome to the family Rio!

15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Amara Pearl is turning 15!!! Every year I shake my head at how fast the years fly by. That quote, "the days are long but years short" is the absolute truth. During the day to day activities, I find that that I am often tired, short tempered or impatient with all the chaotic, mundaneness of raising a family. But when I look back over this past year and I see how much growth has transpired for Amara. It was then, I wish to myself to slow it all down, to be able to take in each moment more fully.  Because in a few short years, my girl will be an adult.  She will be a grown gem. Although I suspect Amara will still me small in statue if not in age!

Amara's fourteenth year around the sun has brought many, many changes. Here is a list of what has transpired for my pearl.  

Amara started High School at Bentley. It was a bumpy start as Ms. Perfectionist acclimated but she soon found her grove with sports and all that that entailed. She participated in Cross Country and Soccer. For Cross Country  she earned an award for most improved athlete and for both sports she won an award for maintaining a high GPA while participating in a sport.  She was challenged by academics in a new learning system but with her dads help, utilizing free time to check in with teachers and more recently some tutoring support, she has maintained almost straight A's.  Another of Amara's main hopes for high school was to make new friends. A pandemic and a teeny tiny middle school did not allow for making new friends.  Within a few weeks on campus, she made new friends who often socialized both at school and outside of school.  She found herself going to the city on BART with her crew, hanging around in Berkeley and other places and she had multiple sleep overs when we were not in a covid surge. She also made an effort to keep her old friends in her inner-circle, which has been very important to her.

Amara has started to babysit in the past few months. She only had a one gig so far but she is looking forward to growing her business.   It has been hard to do this with Covid but we are exploring ways to set it up. She is also is getting ready to be a counselor -in-training  for two weeks at Sugar Pine Girl Scout Camp this summer.

Amara completed some of her  High School required community service taking care of rescue sloths in Panama.  That was super fun for her and her mama!

Amara continues to be a fashionista with her own unique and sharp style. Sometimes we have to reign in her desires to go shopping and have more. We have had many discussions about this. But she is a teen  and a teen in school with others who it seems often have more. So we talk alot about what it means to have things versus the things she does get to do and how her life is full and rich no matter how much clothing she has. All that said, she sure does have her own unique style that makes her stand out.

Amara is more independent in the kitchen. She can make herself a meal or will bake some goodies.  However, ramen seems to be a favorite and I don't consider that cooking!

Amara has a 600+ day Snapchat streak going! The times she has her phone on restriction (we won't get into that!), we make the exception to let her do her snaps to keep up the momentum. 

Amara and I went out for a driving lesson. It was just up the street and it went okay.  We will continue this summer as she is very excited to get her learning permit this next year.

Amara went with Aniyah to homecoming. This was a super sweet experience. They went clothing shopping together and planned for weeks.  Amara got her first pair of heels, which she loved. I love their friendship and that they remain close and I love that they got to go to homecoming in person together. It felt like a right of passage for high school.

Amara has had a good year but there have been challenges as well.  Coming out of home school due to Covid, being a teen, some family issues and more, have for sure made life a roller coaster at times. But Amara is overall an amazing young lady. She is always willing to help out at home. She is always willing to help anyone out really.  She is thoughtful to a fault. We are working on her not taking things personal and not feeling she has to be over responsible for both others and herself.  She will sometimes push herself too much,  so we are working on giving herself time to relax and let go.  She is a hard worker, who does well with whatever she puts her focus on but she does not always see her own awesomeness. She is a bright young lady, who is just amazing.  I am always impressed by her and I look forward to what this next year around the sun will bring.

here are some photos of Amara from birth to now. i love reflecting on her throughout the years. she is for sure my gem as well as a shining star in my universe.

Twos Girl & Their Kai Cat

W

Kai is a well love and well spoiled cat. The girls adore him and love him deeply. And the feeling is mutual. That Kai cat is so well loved that the girls fight for his attention, and he knows how to work it. If Havana is sleeping, he will climb into her bed for cuddles and if she is awake, he will find his way up Amara's bunk for some big sister attention. He has been a bit jealous of his new little brother but we are making sure he knows he is still our Kai guy.

  

The New Normal

 

It is now well over two years of a global pandemic and despite things being much better, we are still coping with Covid-19. Surges have come and gone since December and risks remain. Yet the general population is so over it, even though we currently in a minor surge. Havana had half her class out a few weeks ago. Amara had several friends test positive.  There is no longer a mask required in planes and many folks have tossed them aside when going about their daily lives, even with this current surge.  In our family, we still wear them when inside a store or when traveling. We are being cautious because we don't want to get sick or to pass along the virus if we have been exposed. And still, we have not been immune.  In our personal lives, several good friends all got mildly sick and, in our household, Amara got exposed (after a sleep over at friends where they shared a bed and her friend woke up sick and tested positive). That meant she had to quarantine in her room for a week. She at least got exclusive use of the bathroom! It was kind of funny how she would slip dishes out of the room into the hall. It looked like room service at a hotel. She was quite bored during that week but her room got cleaned up and all her homework was done. She was just super bummed to have to do zoom school for another week. I would only let her out to go in the yard to sit for an hour in the sun in a tank top. Vitamin D, good rx for fighting Covid. Thankfully, she never tested positive.   I should note that all this happened while Don was in Ireland for two weeks!   He went to Ireland for a much welcomed trip with his brother Dick to play golf. He had a great time until he returned home and was not feeling well. (my sister-in-law and niece were there too but doing a yoga retreat. ) Yup. Don got Covid as well. Well technically not in our house. The Irish were mask free and going about their business, including at the airport. Don had the not so good fortune of having to stand behind a person at check in line for over an hour. A person who was mask less and hacking constantly. He returned home, did not feel well and so he was re-routed to the in-law unit. Thankfully there is a bed, desk and access to electricity.  He too got his own bathroom for the week. In through the garage, to use the downstairs bathroom and back out again. Poor guy had a huge project at work, so for one week he had to push himself while feeling pretty darn crappy. And I was back to room service food duty. Don drinks alot of coffee so I got used to making a good cup (I don't coffee so it was a good learning experience!)  We set up a small table at his door where he would get delivered his 3 squares and multiple cups of fuel. We had to communicate by phone or through the window. It was kind of sad. The girls and I did not see him for two weeks and then he had to be away from us another week.  Once he got out, I headed to New England for the wedding of a dear friend/family member.  After solo parenting for 3 weeks, I was more than grateful to head out for a joyous occasion. I put on two  masks while on BART to SFO and did not take them off until I was walking the streets of Boston. (I did keep masking indoors though.)  It was quite a relief to be able to be on my own without having to do double time at the house, which by the way, the girls had to run on their own for a couple of days on their own. Don stayed in the back for a few days post testing negative, just to be sure. 

Don, Dick and Liz in Dublin (yes, of course, I stole this photo!)

Prior to all this mishigas, we were moving along in a new sort of normal. Amara was keeping up with her high school life. She was challenged in her academics, which was a good thing. She was active with both school and  her social life including being invited to homecoming with her friend Aniyah.  That was a really big deal for her this Spring. Havana has been doing well in  her new school and gotten close to small group of gals. The past couple of months, she began to walk to the library and the Pinole Plaza after school several days a week. It felt like normal life, almost.  Because seeing folks in masks and getting emails about kids being positive, that is not normal, even though it is starting to feel that way. So now we keep moving forward into the unknown.

Getting ready for homecoming

This past Winter we did our Girl Scout cookie sales, again!  We were able to return to BART stations but we scaled it back.  We work masks, gloves and tried to do mostly cashless sales. We had a trip to Panama planned in February and did not want to push things. Still Amara made the 600+ cookie club for her like eighth year in a room, or something like that. Havana long ago tired of cookie sales so she does not have that same goal. (and yet they sold close to 1200 boxes!)

Always up for a road trip or any type of adventure really, we were able to head to Calistoga for two nights in January. Our good friend Holly gifted us with a hotel voucher. It was less than an hours drive but felt like another continent. Getting out of the Bay is always refreshing. Wine country is gorgeous in the winter months. Deep green valleys and mountains provide a sense of calm and peace

Girl Scout Cookies!

I was able to take a week by myself in March to housesit for a friend up the coast. I was working and caretaking property/guests but it was a most welcomed respite from the frenzy of the Bay Area. Redwood trees, the Pacific Coast and quiet, solo time was really good for my mental and spiritual health. I was deeply thankful for good friends who invited me to do this.

The North Coast

One last but not least notable event was that we fostered kittens. That's right, 5 adorable two week old kittens and their mama. She stayed with us a month and then got fixed and went back to where she lived a mostly feral life. We kept the kittens for a total of two months.  We named them Stormy, Selina, Rio, Kingston and Burma. Rio was the run at only 1/2 pound. I had to bottle feed him every 2-3 hours for weeks. Suffice to say, he got quite attached to me and the feeling was mutual. He would come crawling from the kitty pile at the sound of my voice. It was not long before I feel deeply in love. When it came time to adopt them out recently, the brothers went to their new home, the two sisters went to their new family and little Rio became the fourth male cat in our family. Oy vey! But we just love the heck out of him. He a little fur ball of affection and cuteness. But I still can't believe it. It's like cat central here most nights. Samson will go hide under the bed while Simba, Kia and Rio run circles chasing each other and playing. We love it!

Rio!!!

The Gatos

Kai is still our guy. Here he is with Havana's new dolly. 

Me at the Bentley fest!

Now, it's June and school is almost out for the girls.  I can't believe yet another school year has gone by. We are getting ready to celebrate the birthdays of our two small gems this month while also preparing to leave for a much needed and welcomed vacation. No driving to work, school, no household errands, no constant work calls and endless meetings (Don) and back to back schedules  and work and non-work meetings (Anjahni). I aware that most do not get to travel and take such adventures  so I am mindful to not boast or brag. I am just thankful that we will all have some much needed time off to rest and connect.  So that's the update in our pandemic life. I hope one day soon to use the work post before that word pandemic but only time will tell.

The Herbalist

One of the things that makes traveling so special is meeting remarkable people. People you would not normally meet in your everyday life. People who leave a lasting impression in your heart and soul.

The gentleman I have photographed here approached us while we sat waiting for lunch in the small town of Bocas del Tora. We were sitting at a table overlooking the Carib Sea. We were hot, grumpy, hangry. The shaded table and the warm breeze began to cool our jets but when this gentleman approached us with his magical smile,  his dazzle further transformed any negative vibes. In his delightful patios, he informed us that he was selling an herbal concoction to support one's immune system. He wanted use to be a customer. Being a strong proponent of natural remedies, I of course asked what was in it. That led to a short conversation on herbs and the role they could play in helping with health including covid.  We also touched briefly on the area and this captivating soul shared some of his history including growing up in this remote part of the world and how things have changed over time. His stories were fascinating and engaging. Yet what stood out most was his energy. Strong, mystical, kind. It was a most welcomed exchange.

I bought his $3.00 health potion with anticipation of what it would be like. Before we said our goodbyes, I asked if I could capture his smile with my camera. His smile and eyes, they were just as powerful as the strong selling herbs we had just purchased and I was itchy to capture his beauty. His easy 'yes' was much appreciated.

I loved that the girls got to witness this exchange and got to meet this unique gentleman. Had we been home, moving through our daily routines, we would not have the chance to share this lovely encounter with this beautiful brother.

 

Book Worm in a Boat

Havana loves to read. Who can blame her? There is nothing quite like getting lost into a story that takes you to a different place, invokes your imagination, touches your mind and heart and leaves you wishing the last page would never come.

Here is Havana, on a speed boat in the middle of a remote area in the Caribbean Sea, surrounding the Bocas Islands.  She went for a swim, snorkeled a bit, saw some amazing sea life and then decided her book was much more appealing. I totally relate. I hope that her love of books is a life long relationship.