Out in Dallas!

 

First I want to say: "Bye! Patricia!" at last she is gone for good! From what I have read in weather.com and from TV news, she was one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded in the western part (hemisphere). That hurricane was so bad she destroyed homes and many things in her way. She went down to Mexico where she lost strength but we actually experienced some of her effects here. People were praying for Mexico as they were going through this difficult time of the weather. We had so much flood damage and a lot of rain in Dallas and in other areas of Texas. It was not good at all! I stayed four days locked up in my place and looking at the bad weather from the windows. On Thursday, on my way back to my place the sky quickly turned from blue to dark grey in the afternoon around 5pm and few drops of rain started to fall but later at night it was really bad. We had some heavy rains with some lightning and thunders. Some flights were cancelled or delayed to hours later at the airport. If you want to know more about what happened in Texas or in Dallas specifically, you can click on these links that I share.

picture from latimes.com

 http://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-floods-union-pacific-train-derails-as-rains-soak-state/
another one https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/monster-hurricane-patricia-quickly-losing-strength/2015/10/24/acee453e-79da-11e5-a5e2-40d6b2ad18dd_story.html
yes she was a real monster. This is another link that I share below http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/10/24/texas-hit-heavy-rains-heightened-flood-threat/74523670/
This is pretty much what I want to share about her. I am glad that Patricia is gone. Actually while the rain was falling  as I was looking through the windows of my bedroom, I suddenly remembered an old French song of the late 80's. I don't know why but it has been a long time ago that I have listened to it and I was so little when the song was released. That song is from Stephanie de Monaco (One of the princesses of Monaco. Yes! She used to sing before.) That song was about the "hurricane" that devastated her life. Something happened in her life as she was really young. Obviously listening to the lyrics, it was not a good memory to her. The title of the song is actually "Ouragan" meaning in French hurricane but in English version I think it has another name like Irreversible or something like that. She sings in both French and English. To those who do not know who Stephanie de Monaco is, she is the daughter of the late American actress/princess Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier.  Now you understand why she is fluent in both languages. Anyway...To me the song has a little bit of the bitter sweet feelings.

As the rain was falling and falling down, the song was playing in my mind over and over again. Yes, I was missing these happy childhood moments back home. For instance, I remember that I liked to play under the rain and late at night I would feel so sick. I even thought that fishes were coming from the sky and they were falling with the rain lol! Ok! That was just a short story.
 So, yes I was definitely missing Mr. Sun for real so when it was back, I decided to go out and walk in the city. We had such a great weather yesterday and I am so thankful! I cannot be grateful enough and I cannot take for granted that nice weather. I  could at last breathe a little bit of fresh air and feel free out of the four walls of the apartment.
So, I went to the Historic West End area of Dallas in town. There, I had Jim who actually was available to take some nice pictures for me as usual!. Jim is such a nice person and I am so glad I met him. He is a good person, a good friend I will say and he is really patient. Whenever he can, he will find a day to be available to help and take pictures for me. He always tells me that: "I want you to remember once back to your country that there are always nice people in America." Whenever I hear that, it makes me gently smile. it is so important that I keep in mind this fact no matter who I meet or what I am going through.
The day was awesome I had so much fun! I post some of the pictures to share with you. I also went to the Kennedy memorial in Dallas. JFK was assassinated the 22nd of November 1963. I like this man for what he has done as a president. As we were taking some pictures, I told Jim that I was also born the 22nd of November. I know many years later but the date is important to me as well.
It has been many years since he died but still people are so curious and interested to understand the why and the how things really happened. Should I say that many tourists come to visit these two places to remember him? Ok, what I mean by the two places is actually the memorial and where he was shot in the motorcade. On that same place there is a man who explains to tourists what could possibly has happened. I have to agree with him that only one person (Lee Oswald) could not have done it on his own... This is above my humble understanding. I have to say that people of the world like me are still wondering what really happened but as the proverb says: " Curiosity killed the cat." I think it is  wise to not ask too many questions...
Then, later I went to West End station to take picture with Rosa Parks statue. These are some of the pictures but I have most of them in my other website because I have more options there then here. You can check them out later if you are interested http://patacolorcarnet.weebly.com/carnet-de-voyage  However, the post is written in French because I am more comfortable writing in French than in English. Sorry about that!)

West End Historic

Shirt Forever21, top and jeans H&M Sunglasses ALDO

Shirt Forver21, necklace choker ALDO

Downtown Dallas TX.

"Here Comes the Sun" as the Beatles sang. Another one that I like too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgiQD56eWDk

I was so happy we had a great sun! I wanted to recreate the 90's look

And guess what!? On our way as we were walking down the streets, after two blocks ahead we saw Browdy Lowen a close friend of mine. He is a musician artist. He told me that he will have a show the 12th of November+ He will perform most of his songs. I think he is about to have a complete album soon.
 http://www.aftonshows.com/BrowdyLowen

I told him: "Quickly let's take a picture with me before you leave". My friend is happily married and what is special is the fact that most of my friends (I don't have a lot to be honest) are artists or simply are Arts lovers like me or amateurs.  

I took his hat  to play the artist for a picture!

 He invited me to be there and if you are interested you can get your ticket online. I heard some of his songs I think he sings well and many people like his music so discover! His two youtube.com channels are Bob Dell Lowen and the other one is  Browdy Lowen.
I put his link on reverb nation website: https://www.reverbnation.com/browdylowen2

Look! My friend is in style! The Gingham shirt! Too serious sometimes so I was trying to make him laugh a little bit

Browdy Lowen started playing piano in his early age. One day he played to me "Rigoletto."  However, Browdy Lowen is more into Rn'B style.
This is one of his songs that I prefer the most. Discover and enjoy!

How did you like it? You can like the songs.
Anyway! Back to my day out in Dallas, Jim and I stopped at a Dallas pioneers' cabin to read a little bit of History of the city.

Then I met Koko!! A sweet little dog. I missed holding a dog so I was happy to meet one that I could have time playing a little bit with. His owner was really nice she told me that I could hold him in my arms as much as I wanted to and take pictures with Koko. He was such a good boy!

So I have such a nice day until fun time was over and it was time to be silence and serious at the memorial...

 Kennedy memorial

The building where Lee Oswald was that day (according to what they told me)

According to what they said, he shot from the 6th floor of this building

As the motorcade was going down this street

They showed us the exact spot that they marked in white on the road

 This is a part of the speech that the president was supposed to give the day of his visit in Dallas.

 I wanted to read it too. I really like what was written it is inspiring.

Down the hill you can see the tourists. Recently a crew of actors, producers were here in Dallas at Dealey Plaza for filming a movie about that tragic event. I read that the movie will be released soon (I will have to check this info again). The actors were exactly playing as if they were the real characters.
If you want to know more about the movie from the local news, you can click on that link http://www.wfaa.com/story/news/local/dallas-county/2015/11/01/jfk-movie-again-disrupt-dealey-plaza-monday/75006646/
You will see some pictures of the actors as well.

My happy feet needed a break! So I sat on a pool in that nice peaceful place with blue water after a long walk

Blue water. Still waters. Sunglasses ALDO and back to the stripes fever!

Smile! And life will smile back at you!

I tried to climb on the wall to have a good view of the Dealy Plaza

Another museum behind

 Then I went to West End station to take a picture with Rosa Parks statue. I admire that woman so much because of what she has done. She stood up for Civil Rights because of her, a person of color like me can sit anywhere in the train and in the buses. Thank you Ms. Parks for what you have done! I do not take it for granted! I remember many years ago back in my country, the first time that I read her story I was so touched by her personality and what she has achieved. As a woman it means a lot to me! "Little" women are in fact giants who have changed their world! A friend once asked me if I was a feminist and I told him: " I don't know but there is nothing wrong to be one." To me, women can definitely be great leaders and I strongly believe it. Back home we used to say :'What woman wants, God wants." I try to translate it from French but I don't know if it makes sense in English. People just wanted to show here the power that women have...

Rosa Parks statue (The iconic picture where she was seating in a bus)

 Few years ago, when I was in Maryland, it moved me to see her name written in a bus. As I was sitting in the front seat I thought in my mind: "Thank you Ms. Parks!" A simple woman who has changed a part of History of her country by just resisting to a system. It takes a lot of courage to do what she did.

 It also reminds me of the story of Harriet Beecher Stowe who wrote "Uncle Tom's Cabin" when she went to meet Abraham Lincoln. He said to her: "So you are the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war?" I have never ever forgotten these words when the teacher once read them in class. It was years ago but because at that time I was so conscious of the fact that I was little and not tall at all. I have always thought that being little was like being vulnerable. What he said have completely changed my understanding of  this word. Later, after reading stories about some women who have changed their world, I found out that they were "little" women as well. Maybe "little" by words and through people's eyes but real giant in term of spirit and mind. David was little with a great and a giant mind but Goliath was a giant with a little spirit. How about that!? Or another one: ants are really small insects but they do great things and they even scare big animals.
 So after my quick break, I went close to a wall with some water falling from somewhere above. You know how I like water! Water means to me peace, purity, honesty and truth. And the quote on the wall says all! I stood up in front of that wall to read Dr. King's quote. It is always inspiring to read what he said. I am so grateful for what these people have done. If I am here in this country it is definitely because of what they have done. We can never forget the people who fought for freedom, truth, Civil Rights... We can never forget History.

Well, I guess you have a little idea of Dallas today! I hope you like this post. Thank you for reading!
If you are in Dallas area or about to be in Dallas and you want to get Browdy Lowen's ticket for November show this is the link: http://www.aftonshows.com/BrowdyLowen
If you also want to visit my other site to see some more pictures of yesterday afternoon, here is the link: http://patacolorcarnet.weebly.com/carnet-de-voyage
I also want to thank Sandrine for writing an article about my humble blog in her association's website of Grenoble/France. You can also discover what her association does : http://asseg38.123siteweb.fr/412932437/3064174/posting/jeunes-talents-d-ici-et-d-ailleurs

 Doggo and I say: Bye! and see you soon guys!!

Thank you and get ready for the next post about the 90's yay!!!

Photos credit: Jim Martin
www.photozenthesis.artistwebsites.com
photozenthesis.dallas@gmail.com

Good Memories...

I had the feeling tonight to write about my good memories through some of my favorites songs and artists. When I say favorite artists it does not necessarily means that I agree with their opinions or something like that. It is basically the fact that I admire the talent that they have.You can actually find all of these songs on www.youtube.com. I thought I could just do for some of them a kind of intro videos and at the same time I will put the complete video clip of the song right below so that you can see the owners of the songs. You don't have to agree with my point of view this is personal but I just thought I could share some of them tonight. When I said intro I mean by that the videos that I made for these songs (some of them) I do not upload them on youtube.com there are just here on my blog on purpose. I think it is always good to remember the good times and I hope this post will take you back to these good memories. The videos that I made are pretty short I also did it on purpose.

Starting with Human Nature, the video that I made came a little bit from my imagination about that song. My imagination might not be perfect but I tried to make something the way I felt it. Human Nature is one of my favorites of all time because there is something special about that song. Whenever I hear that song it makes me want to walk by night in town. It also makes me want to relax, cross my legs and dream about that mysterious city that makes me sometimes think about New York city the way he describes it. And dream about meeting a mysterious character  somewhere(Smile) Well here is my video (Ok! I have to say... I am trying...but I had fun putting together all the pictures and videos of mine.)

That song remains one of the best because people still like and listen to it. To me it was one of MJ's masterpieces (Probably not the opinion of everyone but...This is my point of view)
This is the complete video here on www.youtube.com
Human Nature by Michael Jackson. Produced by Quincy Jones. Album Thriller (1982)

I recall the 90's! Probably because for some reasons I have lived so many important events in my life like the good and the bad. But you know what? good plus bad equal Good! Whenever you look back in your life, for some reasons, you happen to miss those moments. I have to admit that I like the 90's  there was something about these years and people were creative again and there were so many good movies, TV series etc.
I was probably...12 or 13 years old when I first heard the song in the movie "Free Willy" (the whale) then I saw the video clip. I recall that SWV was one of the best female groups of that time. What made that song special to me is the Human Nature part in it. That was the best version of that song to me. To me women were more elegant. They could be sexy without revealing too much.  "Right Here" I like the complete clip video like being in an island playing with water. The kids, the horses, the whales well the complete video is perfect and they all looked so great!
SWV "Right Here" Album It's About Time (1992)

Around 2003 I remember that special moment when I heard that following song for the first time. I was not really familiar with the singer but when I heard the song I liked it right away! It was an afternoon during the weekend in a city somewhere in the map of the world. My roommate was gone to visit her friends (she had many of them) I was usually on my own listening to music, cooking, watching TV or reading. I was so boring that day so I decided to make some waffles with a glass of milk. Then, I went to sit on the window of the apartment just to spend time and breathe some fresh air. We had a very nice view of the neighborhood I miss that apartment. As I was looking at our street I saw a group of teenagers preparing for a street volleyball game. They were boys and girls. But my attention was on a girl who happened to come out of her house in a rush to join them because she seemed to be late. As she was talking to her mum, doing her pony tail, they both put the radio outside in the yard to animate the nice little event that was happening in our street. You imagine the sound was loud but cool! So, the second song that was played on the radio was Still the One of Shania Twain. I found out about the name of the singer with a friend of mine later but I have never forgotten that song. It was cool because, I was not bored anymore I was watching at their little volleyball game and to me it was a funny afternoon.

At the end of the game I went downstairs to visit one of our neighbors who happened to go out as well. As we were talking she asked me if I wanted to go for a walk with her and of course I said yes! Here is the complete video clip of the song. I like the lyrics.
"Still the One" by  Shania Twain. Album "Come On Over" (1997)

In my room I would always have a radio played all night to listen to new music or old ones etc. So, one night on my radio in the room I remember I heard that following song: Listen to Your Heart by DHT. I guess you all know that beautiful song with good lyrics as well. I have never seen the real video clip but I post for you the one from youtube.com that I have found. Maybe the lyrics are for you too who knows? (Smile)
DHT Listen to Your Heart (2005)

 Sweet memories of the 90's.The next one is from Milli Vanilli. I love that song and the video clip. Girl I'm Gonna Miss You (1989)

I don't know how old I was when I first heard the next song. Hum...Maybe 9 or 10 years old? Humm...Well... I forgot! I don't remember. But that song was everything! This is a nice song for an afternoon at home when you do nothing special. You listen to music and you relax with your magazine, a cup of tea and some of your favorite cakes or cookies. You read and you think about nothing else...

 Cyndi Lauper "Time After Time." Album She is So Unusual (1983)

 The year when I felt homesick, thinking about my family and my country it brought me a feeling of...nostalgia. It still happens sometimes and it is normal. Marizia do Rosario is from Cape Verde a little island in Africa. Yes, I take you to the "tropical delights" like I like to say because it is another world and style. Marizia sings in Portuguese. In that song, she talks about her land and I thought that song was good for me too. I discovered it at the right moment of my life and because it reminded me of my land as well. I listen to Terra Franca often her voice is so magical. She has beautiful other ones. Her style of music is called Kizomba!
Anyway! This is how it feel to miss your land and your family.

 "Terra Franca" Marizia do Rosario, Album (1999)

Last and not least one my favorite singers from Gabon. Talking about loving my land this is one his songs that I like the most. We miss Oliver Ngoma. Nge is simply a poetic way to describe his land of Gabon. Whenever I listen to it I am nostalgic. Oliver Ngoma is an artist well known in many countries of Africa and French Caribbean. Nge was probably released in the early 90's. So the video is not new at all... That video was shot in his native rural area of Gabon situated in the little city named Mayumba. You can actually see the natural landscape etc. Nostalgia of Gabon. My last words tonight is to just say this: I want to see a new Gabon. A Gabon without unfair treatment to his people. A Gabon with peace...
Thank you for reading! Thank you for watching! I hope you like this post.
Have a great weekend!

I also invite you to visit : http://patacolorcarnet.weebly.com/carnet-de-voyage

Some Embarrassing Moments

This is just a post where I share with you  memories of some embarrassing moments that I had. I have learned from them as well. Sorry for the noise of the ceiling fan.  I will have to work on the sound sometimes and the audio because I recorded live I didn't review, cut or change things...About my accent? Well, I am not looking to change it because this is who I am. The fact is, I will never speak exactly like a native English speaker some people do have this gift good for them but in my case, I am not looking to change mine at all. I just hope that you understand the important thing which is the message behind the post. Also, I would like to apologize the videos are not in particular order. Thank you!

Actually I meant that "We really intended to go to the mall" the point here was:" What goes around comes around" Always try to be nice with people. Try to be you and honest 

Now I am more careful 

She took it so personally to the point that she would do everything to hook me up with the guy. At the end it was so embarrassing because you cannot force people to be together

Jackie the Russell lol! Actually my dog had another name but she looked exactly like this one.

Actually I was talking about her paws not legs but because she acted like human by imitating me I used the word legs

 

Point of correction for the last video. No no no! I am not a liar. Actually, I wanted to say that : "We should NOT be lying at all and try the best to not be doing it." And, yes I have learned from my mistakes about raising my dog. I took care of a friend's baby girl for a month and I felt so connected to the baby and I did a good job. I have learned that even when you like something or your children you are supposed to teach them the right way. When something is wrong we should not just be spoiling them but start correcting what is wrong.
Thank you for passing by and I also invite you to visit this link: http://patacolorcarnet.weebly.com/carnet-de-voyage
Please, please, please! People take a little bit of your time to watch that nice video below. A friend of mine posted it on my Facebook  timeline. That video made my day! I hope it will do the same to you too. I don't know how many times I did watch that video. I share with you the link of the lady's page.This is about real patience, love and care for  your sweet babies! Click and watch it you will love it! Make me smile please by going to watch it. Thank you!
https://www.facebook.com/100000123311822/videos/1173661062647993/?pnref=story
I also want to thank Sandrine for writing a nice article of my blog on her association's page in Grenoble France: http://asseg38.123siteweb.fr/412932437/3064174/posting/jeunes-talents-d-ici-et-d-ailleurs