Carnet de Voyage is simply a description of the "Voyage" of my life: Where I am from, where I have been where I want to go. It's also a description of what I like to do, my favorite music. Simplement un "voyage de la Vie.
I just want to share few things and some latest news. As you can see I am no longer writing in English often because of what I explained on my last post. I decided to write in French since I am more comfortable doing it. My other website has mostly posts in French and few in English (well...Sorry about that...But I have no choice until I find people editing my work) I will keep putting the links for those who can translate or understand French. I still want to keep my posts in simple English because this is who I am. Words that anybody can easily understand that's my style.
In this post, I just want to share what I got for the new year and what I recently found.
I have been a little been concerned about the new year but so far I am very much happy with myself! I feel more excited about doing new things. I feel like I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me! I feel more positive even after taking one more year. In a single word I will say I am #Happy.
Last year, somebody told me about a little city named Paris in Texas. What actually really made me go there was the fact that he told me there is a little Eiffel Tower. I was like: "Really? Cool! I want to see that!" After my holidays trip, I decided to make a plan to go there since it is not that far from my area where I live. I will say approximately 2h 30 min from Dallas. Then, I also plan to go to some other cities around with time this year. For instance, I will also be going to Texas Pow Wow in Fort Worth (A festival organized by Native Americans) Yes! I think Texas is a really nice State and there are many interesting things to do and cities to visit. I will be pretty much busy and I like it. It also means I will have a lot to write about
I could see some Veterans name written on the ground @ the Memorial
I also decided to take real photography lessons. I have been liking taking some on my own but there are not good so I got a real camera this time (lol!) and I want to make some photos albums in town and in some gardens. I will share them once they will be done. We have a place in Dallas that they call Dallas Arboretum if you want to see how it looks like you can click on this link http://www.dallasarboretum.org/ This is a place like Heaven on earth with beautiful flowers. To me this is one of the places where I want to practice and I found myself liking flowers more during my Summer in France I even had a post on it. (And God created flowers for Laetitia lol!) Really flowers are beautiful and so sensitive like women. I want to have better pictures of them now. Also, when I am sitting in town, I like to see people walking and seeing some scenes make me want to take pictures as well. I guess I am feeling more creative this year. Yay! Let's see!
Ok! So Paris in Texas is a nice little and quiet city. I had some of my pictures taken and there is also a memorial for veterans originally from the area I guess. These veterans went to War World II, Vietnam, Korea...wars. About that little Eiffel Tower, it has a Texan hat on the top. To me, it was authentic and funny. We even asked to a young waitress where we went to eat if she speaks a little bit of French she said: "Not at all! I wish I could!" That is so interesting to me! A little city with a French name with a famous French monument in miniature but people do not speak the language. (Maybe some do. I don't know but it didn't look like)
I shared all my pictures of yesterday on my link here: http://patacolorcarnet.weebly.com/carnet-de-voyage
you are welcome to take a look and maybe drop a comment.
About my little gifts for Xmas and new year 2016, my sister who went to Moscow for a work trip in Russia, brought me Matruchka. Mine is blue (My favorite color) and she has kids inside like they mostly do. Matruchka is sweet but I am still a "Stranger" to Moscow someday I hope to visit that capital city. My sister was really happy there she had one of the best trip experiences ever.
Miss Matruchka and her children
How about that? "Stranger in Moscow" One of my favorite songs. Yes a real stranger I am but in love with that capital city Beautiful city
Yep! I love Moscow! I pray to be able to visit that city someday
я люблю Россию
My brother offered me this item from his trip where he visited some caverns. I like it too:
And the sweet kiddies before they left back to their country (Iceland) they offered me this nice bracelet. Well, I was blessed to simply say.
I received a perfume that I like! For the new year!
A tiny little purse for coins from Algeria made in real leather. My sister was sent to Oran a city in Algeria and she brought me that
My Charlotte Russe's boots. I like them they are really nice and comfortable!
Then I had other gifts too but those are mainly what I wanted to share with you. I guess I have said enough today! I hope you received nice gifts for Christmas too!!
By the way, what are you going to do for Valentine's guys? Are you getting ready? Last year I wrote a post about Valentine's Day. I don't think I will be doing the same thing this year so if you want to have ideas for making it a nice day you can check out my suggestions! (wink) Maybe they can help who knows?
Flowers, flowers, flowers (Valentine's flowers this time!)
I took that picture at a shop just for you! Well, I guess I said everything for today. I hope you have a wonderful week!
Here are some links that I want to share with you: My Patacolor Carnet website: http://patacolorcarnet.weebly.com/carnet-de-voyage
You will see different sections you can click on them to see what I share (Carnet de Voyage, de Fashion, de Lifetstyle and Arts/Entertainment)
My friend Browdy Lowen just released a new video for his song "Can You Be My Baby" this is the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LxDWBKqjGA
It is a simple and genuine video but what is special is the fact that the video reached 60k views withing 5 days only with many likes. I am so happy for him. So you can like and share.
What else? hum! yes for my African fellows and those who speak French you can look on my youtube channel I shared some other African and Caribbean poems.
The last one is from a late Gabonese author that I like and it was his wishes to his readers for the new year. I intentionally put my country's pictures of the old days just to show how years are flying and I wanted people to understand how important it is to live and enjoy the moment. I also included it with a nice song from a talented Gabonese artist. Her name is Annie Flore Batchiellilys and she sings "Je T' Invite" meaning "I Invite You" Actually she is inviting people to visit her country Gabon. She wants you to discover the country and its nature. This song means a lot to me as well.
This is the video of what I share for the poem (for the French speakers of course. I hope it will inspire you for this new year) Thank you for passing by. Thank you for reading my blog and see you soon! Live happy live the moment!
This is Flora from my neighborhood. She likes to put her body on the floor to receive tenderness.
I LOVE that song and the lyrics are so wonderful! Thank you Celine Dion for this wonderful song! I thank God for such wonderful talent! Celine Dion is such a blessing! I have been listening to her for many years and I still do.
Every year I listen to this song. I feel like this little plane. Life with no limits! I recently posted it on my Facebook page and all my friends liked that song I guess they realized the meaning of these words. I am Alive. I always remember this little girl under the building of the apartment singing that song in the little garden. Yes, I am Alive in 2016!
Bye 2015! I am so sad I had to leave you. You were such a wonderful year for me even though I went through difficult times too. I love you but I kiss you bye bye! No choice
Hello! 2016. I just wonder what you have in store for me. Even I still believe that we are responsible for making things happen. "Life is a journey, enjoy it" (quote of Mother Teresa)
Someone recently told me take life as an adventure not like a difficult time or something like that.
Well how was 2015 for me? Looking back at 2015 I felt really truly blessed. I was happy to see my precious mummy, my sisters and brothers. It was Mexico. Caramba! Mexico te quiero! (I will be back Just saying like #Schwarzenegger #Terminator lol!) No but I am serious Hasta la vista Mexico! I wrote a post about it. in 2015 I tried new things!
I wrote more than usual. However, I do not think I will write in English often anymore because it is not easy and there is no one to help me improving for the moment.
In 2015 I had a little bit of craziness fun with my dolls stuffed animals. actually my mum gave me as a gift a little blue and white tiny cat. It is the new member of my family here!
That is Sister! She was in front of the computer she didn't want to stop playing with it and it was getting late
Actually Sister came to me as a gift too. A nice lady at church offered her to me for Valentine's Day. Valentine's is not only for lovers ok? lol! It is for everybody who shares love and affection to any other persons. Sister was in a nice big cup and I was blessed. She came to my place in 2011. And guess what? She has been with me since then! I am not about t get rid of her at all.
Visiting my family in France was the best part of 2015. (Paris, Lyon, Rennes and the Tour de France) I wrote many posts that year about it.
And my last trip of the year in Washington DC, visiting my sister for Xmas and New year.
I made a video memories/ souvenirs for that occasion I could not make it to New York unfortunately so I hope it will happen sometimes soon. Here it is!
Also in 2015 I discovered there the Icelandic culture. I went to Annapolis, Baltimore and Virginia as well. I had so much good moment. I was blessed to be honest! Thank God for everything. More details and all the stories here at: http://patacolorcarnet.weebly.com/carnet-de-voyage
Eating an Icelandic meal (smoked lamb, bread leaf, peas, potatoes in a cream sauce...) Thank you guys! it was good!
Ok! everything there in my website with more pictures and videos. You will see: Carnet de Voyage, Carnet de Fashion, Carnet de Lifestyle...) Click on the different sections and you will read what I share if your computer can translate. Some are written in English though.
By the way I also wrote about the movies nominated for the Oscar 2016. You will find it there. I like the fact that I have more options at weebly and I am really inspired but I mostly wrote in French and I think it is better because I feel more comfortable writing in French.
Winterize your style people with the new issue Jan/Feb. You can purchase the digital and the print copy.
You will read my article about faux fur and leather. I hope you will be inspired. You will also find many inspiring articles and pictures!
That's all I guess! So yes! Happy New year 2016 guys! I wish all the best for this new year. Thank you for visiting my blog I really and I humbly appreciate it. It really started out of the blue I never thought I could actually write that much in English (smiling) I just hope it makes you happy. But guess what?! I will be back! ha! ha! ha!
On another thoughtful note I want to end up this post with one of my favorite songs of Des'ree. You know how I like music. I like Des'ree! When I posted it on my Facebook page, once again every body put a thumb up. This is a great song of the 90's. Thank you Des'ree for this inspiring song.
And yes another plane in the video clip. It looks like I like plane for some reasons... but I guess there is something to understand about it. To me it means "Life without limits!"
Remember life is a journey enjoy it. In fact, life has never been perfect. We make things happen.
Keep walking, keep fighting, keep knocking at some doors until you get what you need. Keep believing in you even when people do not anymore. If you fall don't be afraid to start over again and again until you reach your vision. There is no shame to start over this is all about life.
Thank you! Enjoy the song! and Bye!! Des'ree "Life"
Eiffel Tower has turned off its lights in memory of those who tragically lost their lives.
(picture of people.com)
As I am looking at this picture, I am still in shock to realize what happened in Paris. I have never seen the Eiffel Tower going dark this way and it's really sad. That tells how bad the event was. Four months ago I had one of my best Summers in this city of lights. Paris is the city of my childhood. Paris the city of my vacations. The city where I am always excited to go but today something sad happened to Paris. I was supposed to post something fun this weekend but I could not...
Few months ago I wrote a post about what happened in Kenya. I never intended to write such events in my blog but sometimes you cannot be indifferent in front of some news. It was Friday and people after a long busy week wanted to enjoy the beginning of the weekend but they found themselves attacked and killed by a group of terrorists. I am glad to know that my family is safe. I had my sister on the phone and my mum. They told me everybody is fine. I thank God for that but I also think about those who lost their family members. According to the French magazine le Figaro, approximately 129 people died and 352 are wounded. That includes French people and other people from other countries.
My point here is I worry a little bit about this world. I worry about tomorrow. I worry about the next generation and I worry for our children. I don't have a child yet but to me I am thinking how am I going to teach them the word "peace" when I see all this disaster in the world. How am I going to teach them the word "peace in the world" when a group of people are willing to be a pain and are after innocents? How will I teach them the word "peace in the world" when I see that the so call leaders or powerful countries seem to be powerless in front of such situations? How?
It is so difficult to understand why such angry people call themselves heroes when they surprise and kill innocents. No! Real heroes do not kill innocents but cowards do.
Tragic event in Paris. Pictures from people.com
Few months ago we were painfully remembering the victims of the 9/11. To me, watching the video that somebody shared on social media was still shocking because you can never get used to it. Then, I saw some of the videos of the terrorist attack in Paris, I literally had some goose bumps. It was awful and horrible. It was scary! Recently we saw families in Russia in tears after tragically losing some of their family members in a plane crash in Egypt. To later find out that the same group was probably behind this crash. Earlier this year, these groups devastated an entire village of men and women in Nigeria. Then, they attacked another village in Cameroon were they rapped and killed people. The same year, They went to Garissa in Kenya were they killed a group of students and I think about people in Syria and in Iraq who are struggling to save their lives everyday.
They call themselves Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, Al Shabaab, ISIS Daesh, Aqmi etc. And, our leaders seem to be powerless in front of their actions or maybe I am wrong but how can we explain that they are still striking and disturbing the peace of the world? Clearly, they want to make people live in fear and they probably have succeeded in this vision...maybe... Today you wonder if taking a plane is safe? You wonder if going somewhere is safe? You wonder if talking to a stranger is safe? You wonder who the person sitting in front of you can do? As Cyndi Lauper sang "The world is stone" but in the same time I want to do what Celine Dion says in her song:"Je danse dans ma tete" I want to "dance in my head" because it's too much. It is too much and I am fed up of the bad news in the world everyday just because the same group of people who like to scare people of the world. Fear and hatred that's their weapons.
("The World is Stone" in French version by Canadian singer Garou) I like his version too.
People mourning the lost ones (Paris/France). picture from www.cnn.com
No, no, no don't get me wrong I am not pessimistic at all! I still have hope. I want to be among those who are still optimistic for this world even in these chaotic events in that chaotic world. I want to be among those who still show humanity and love to others. I want to be among those who care and who decide to save human and animal lives. Even walking through the "shadow of death" I can be scared but I know and I remember that God remains the good Shepperd of my life. I also keep in my mind pictures of great people such as Mother Teresa who positively impacted this world in a difficult time. She is gone but what she has done still lives. One plus one makes two. Two plus two make four. If four people can do good to others then I believe there is still hope for this world.
Well, maybe I ask too many questions or maybe I worry too much. I am just a simple citizen of the world who is not happy about the recent news. Is there a way to touch their hearts in order to make them stop what they are doing? What I want to say is: think about the people that you hurt. Think about the orphans left without their parents because of what you are doing. Think about the next generation. I know you have a heart and if you read me today I want you to change. I want you to understand that Love is powerful. I want you to listen to this little voice telling you that it is wrong to kill people and God has nothing to do with it. I want you to see the tears in these children' eyes because they lost their parents. Please stop what you are doing. Killing innocents will never be a reason to justify what you do or that ideology. Yes, you will always be remembered for the "cause" that you stood up for but how do you want to be remembered? People will always respect those who stood up for the good and noble causes for humanity. The others who stood up for the wrong ones will be disliked forever. Do you choose to save or kill lives? This is a choice to make today if you read me.
I like the smile of hope of this little girl
Today we are Paris. We stand with Paris during these painful moment because what happened to them can happen anywhere in the world. We hope people will recover from this traumatic event. We also hope that family who lost their loved ones will be strong to keep living. We wish peace to Paris I talk about the real Peace that comes from God to spread in the entire city. And, we hope to see the lights of the Eiffel Tower on as a symbol of strength. As long as there are good people in the world, and that there are brave people in this world, I still have hope for tomorrow. Mother Teresa once said: "If we have no peace it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." Interesting and powerful words from Mother Teresa. When you remember that the person next to you is your brother and sister then you will not think about hurting them or hurting your neighbor. Today #WePrayforParis# and it is good to see the world united to support France during this difficult time. And we pray for Nigeria, we pray for Syria, we pray for Cameroon, Mali and Tunisia
I want to remember this powerful song (because of the lyrics that song have never left my head since I first listened to them when I was a child ) of my favorite artist. Thank you MJ for this beautiful song and I want to thank you for reading this post.
( If you want to discover something interesting that has nothing to do with sadness you can visit this website where I share good things! http://patacolorcarnet.weebly.com/lifestyle Thank you and Shalom to you all!
This is for the people of the world I send that song to you today with Love.
"Heal the World" Michael Jackson, album Dangerous. 1991
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
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.
