There have been articles written throughout the years how the death of the oral tradition has been linked to the death of a cultural identity. In Alaska, there have been movements to preserve many of the Alaskan native languages. We have museums that archive and preserve recordings of our Alaskan elders--some have long ago … Continue reading The Evolution of Oral Tradition
For "A Reason For Being"... Let me begin by stating that thesis defenses for a Master in Fine Arts is no joke. I am still in a blank space attempting to comprehend all the little bits and pieces of the defense. There were questions left, and right by my committee members--and they were unbelievably amazing--because … Continue reading The Thesis Defense..
This past Monday, after I struggled and cursed in my mind for torturing myself at the gym, I walked out to the beautiful skies. I took a moment for stillness. When I took out my phone to capture this fleeting beauty in the skies, behind me I heard, "whaaatt, look at this!" I turned … Continue reading The Awakening
On a weekend getaway to Anchorage, I came across this beauty after breakfast. I asked myself "how come I have never seen anything like this before?" and "Why don't we have many more of these at street corners?" You know when you are stunned by such brilliance that you start to make up all these … Continue reading To Be Inspired…
He drove to the hotel garage, and avoided parking on the street. The San Francisco streets are often difficult to trust when it came to parking. For the most part, a driver will realize soon after he returns to his parked car that a biker or another car nicked some part of his vehicle. … Continue reading Encounter
Let me frame this situation and story for you.. Last fall semester, I was asked if I can teach an English 111x course. This course is designed for first year college students, and/or those students who decided to put off the English course requirement for their degree until they could no longer do so. The … Continue reading A Situation and A Story…
As I prepare for my MFA thesis defense next month, I realize that I am exhausted from all the edits. I wrote a "Reason For Being" as an homage to the experience of loss, but also the experience of an awakening. The loss of a loved one or loved ones, the loss of cultural identity, the loss of autonomy.
Let me tell you the story behind this beautiful and serene shot. It was taken after a snow storm on December 31, 2016. My eldest son was home for the holidays for the first time since 2010. He had not been able to get home for the holidays because of his days in college, and … Continue reading Snow storm and The Golden Hour
The scene sets the background for every story. In "Samsara," I chose Alaska as one of the locations for the many scenes that I've written. Beneath the cold of winter months, and warmth of the summer under the Midnight Sun--is a beauty hidden from the world. Many people come to Alaska for the outdoor adventure … Continue reading Scene..
Alaska Winter. Photograph by Marney Photography (http://marneyphotography.wixsite.com/mysite) On a Saturday morning, I reflect on a revelation that we are all on a journey on this earth, and the roads we've taken (very Frost here--the poet, and the road) may not have been the ones we planned. Along the way, we suffer, we love, and we … Continue reading A long road ahead..
The Echo Muse 