Blogs from Washington, United States, North America - page 237

I visited USA for 5 days from Nov 8 to Nov 12. On the first day, I spent one whole day travelling from Vancouver to Seattle, stopping at the Boeing factory in Everett along the way (Refer to the previous entry "Travelling from Vancouver, BC to Seattle for just USD$4!"). Now, I'm going to talk about the second day of my trip. On the 2nd day, I visited Tacoma and Olympia. Tacoma is a city located about 50km south of Seattle. Founded as a sawmill town in the 1860s, it became one of the most important city at the end of the 19th century because it was chosen to be the terminus of the Northern Pacific Railway. During the 20th century, Tacoma was losing its importance as the centre of trade and commerce shifted to Seattle. ... read more

“We are about people-to-people, our twenty Americans paired up with twenty Nigerians.” Susan Partnow, founder and director of Seattle-based Global Citizen Journey (GCJ), stood at the head of the room. She overlooked an audience; they overlooked her. “This is our grassroots connection.” What endured in bold letters were her last words, grassroots connection. The phrase was powerful, deep, strumming a chord within my system, a system slapped, pressed, and molded into the thought-processes of Western culture. But now, with a community of individuals devoted to the workings of peace and international teamwork, I began to grow from the old imprints and immerge from an isolated locale within the mind. I began to form my own contemporary consciousness, one joined with interconnection, birthing from within a presence of unified devotion. And now I had this; grassroots... read more

Harry never understood himself. Doubly confused, his intangible actions led to questions, too many concerns. But he was different, and that was okay by us. Small, stout, stubborn in the haunches, he was hairy (ironic?) with a stubbed tail from the result of a virus. On all fours, Harry trotted, or more skipped, wherever he went. He licked his chops like a spoon of Jif and never gave kisses. Guests were surprised, and disappointed, this kiss-less greeting, but we were grateful especially when we’d gawk out our kitchen window, watching cute little ‘ol Harry do his business, turn around, and gobble back up those scoops of peanut butter. The streets crowded; hot, humid, an air and the sponge of Brahma wrung above it. And there, naked, besmeared in ash, was I, bathing in Thy celestial pool ... read more

“Now,” her voice was shrill like a mouse. The two guests glanced at one another. “My little shrew, yes, I call her my shrew; she’s a wily one. Most importantly, she has something called Anxiety Separation Disorder, or ASD.” Alarm bells sounded for the two baby-sitters: Most Importantly! Mia and Jane stared at each other. Each sought reassurance, yet found only a pair of eyes filled with pity. Their inner conscience started: Okay, let’s go! Yeah, I’ll race you! “So,” the mother continued, “She usually throws a fit and cries hysterically when I leave, even for the phone. I’m glad there two of you.” Her voice stopped to give meaning. Her beady eyes were held firm by two rosy cheeks pin-pointed with a sharp, arrow-like nose. It curved upward at its end to the minutest degree; ... read more

We left home at 7AM Seattle time bound for Paris. On the way to the airport we stopped off for some melatonin to fend off jet lag at the suggestion of Bryan. Our driver joked that if it worked, we’d be ready to conquer Europe like Napoleon when we arrived!... read more