For my July 4 post, I wish a “Happy Birthday!” to America and my many friends. My apologies to you if you are also a July baby and I missed listing you.
Blessings always!
~ Rebekah
July birthdays
4 07 2025Comments : Comments Off on July birthdays
Categories : Friends & Family
Tissue-paper collage art show on tap
30 05 2025My collage art group has a big show during June 2025 at Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden Visitor Center Gallery.
If you recall, the tissue paper that is slick on one side as for gift wrapping is dunked into a solution of silk screen dye, water, and an oil float for unique effects.
Apropos to the most recent volcanic activity at Kilauea volcano, I have chosen to show my collection of works inspired by the 2018 eruption. Here are three:
The exhibit runs June 2 to 29, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden entrance is at the end of Luluku road between Pali Highway and Likelike Highway in Kāneʻohe.
View art and be well!
~Rebekah
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Tags: art exhibit, art show, collage, Fine Art, Hawaii, Hoomaluhia, Oahu, Travel, volcano
Categories : About me, Fine Art, Travel
Back from Europe!
22 05 2025With the month of May more than half over, I’ve returned from Europe where I went on an 8-day Viking River Cruise on the Danube all across Austria with Pete, Becky, and Susan—from Budapest, Hungary, to Regensburg, Germany—on the Viking Atla.
I have recovered from a bug that I probably picked up en route from Honolulu—several different airports to get to our destination and happily resuming a routine.
A wonderful couple, Helen and Marty, took care of our house and dog JJ while we were away. Mahalo nui for that!
Viking offers a variety of activities on land at the ports of call along the way. For example, in Vienna we attended a concert of Strauss and Mozart music. At Krems we visited Gottweig Abbey and the apricot groves; purchased ample apricot products for gifting, too.
While Pete and Becky went bicycling in Passau, Susan and I got on the “hop-on-hop-off” bus. Mostly we stayed on the bus for continuous siteseeing. We did manage to go shopping for a few souvenirs.
I thought that Vienna was so very civilized. Bicycles were a common sight.
Viking takes care of everything, from the time the traveler signs up with the EBD—early booking discount, to walking you by phone call through the travel options, to following up after you return home. They check with you during the journey to find out if you are satisfied with the service staff on board.
The food was excellent. Somehow they knew exactly how I liked my food prepared. Meals were from a buffet or printed menu.
Every evening before dinner, the onboard program director gave a little talk about what to expect the following day. If we preferred, we could watch the briefing on the TV in our stateroom. The after-dinner piano entertainment sometimes competed with parlor games.
My recommendation to those who ask about our vacation is, “Go!” You can’t go wrong with a Viking River Cruise. There’s scenery, proximity to medical care, no kids, 4- to 5-star cuisine, a variety of land excursions, and a chance to meet new friends.
But as always, it’s great to come home. Wherever you are, be well.
~Rebekah
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Tags: Austria, Danube River, Travel, Viking River Cruise
Categories : About me, Friends & Family, Travel
Happy Easter, happy travels
18 04 2025This Easter weekend heralds the excitement of upcoming travel from Hawai’i to Europe. From the Studio, DH Pete and I will join our dear friends Becky and Susan on a Viking River Cruise on the Danube, going east to west across Austria.
Pete and I booked a similar cruise some years ago. At that time we went from west to east and in winter when it snowed every day. The Christmas markets and the gluwein at each stop were highlights!
We have already lined up friends to take care of our house and our dog JJ. For sure, I will keep you posted on http://www.rebekahstravels.wordpress.com. That’s my companion blog.
It’s going to be so much fun. My bags are packed! Here’s my BFF Becky with the Easter Bunny:
As always, be well.
— Rebekah
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Tags: Austria, Danube River, Easter, Friends & Family, holiday, Travel, Viking River Cruise
Categories : About me, Friends & Family, Travel
Bittersweet moments
30 03 2025Some days like yesterday are bittersweet, yet worth mentioning.
In the morning I attended the memorial service of my eldest living first cousin, Doreen Chong Yuen, age 95. She was the daughter of my mother’s eldest brother, Uncle Kim Fong Chong, and Sarah Yap. I joined two of my 3G cousins at the service, Nathan and Audrey Helen; the three of us are children of the three youngest members of the 2G Chongs. (Are you following?!) 2G is the second generation to be born of immigrants from China. And my grandmother gave birth to 15 children.
Everything was maikaʻi (good), but it was a sober reminder that I won’t live forever. If cousin Doreen’s long-life genes are from the Chong side, I look forward to many more good years.
In the evening I attended my friend Cynthia’s new-moon soirée for a sharing of things we each wanted to “release” and “manifest.” We each wrote two lists and burned them in the campfire, one at a time.
Cynthia’s current challenge with breast cancer was the impetus for the gathering. She wanted to be with friends, I felt, so each woman’s friendship circle widened; there were women who we had not met previously.
We shared a meal, recipes, wine, and health experiences, too.
As always, everyone, be well.
~Rebekah
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Categories : Uncategorized
Art endures
27 02 2025A few days ago, Nohea Gallery at Kahala Mall reconnected me with a past art buyer of mine.
Now “older,” by chance Susan found herself browsing the gallery while waiting for her ride.
She asked Nadja the sales rep about me, so the Gallery took her phone number to give to me.
Susan had bought my “Baobab Tree” oil painting that she watched me paint on location at Foster Botanical Garden in Honolulu many years ago.
The baobab tree, if you recall, is the tree that the little prince in Le Petit Prince disliked for all the leaves it dropped and that he had to rake up.
According to Susan, she was really broke at the time, but her husband said if she really liked the painting she should sacrifice and buy it.
And so she did. It made me happy to hear Susan say the painting hangs prominently in her home.
You may wish to check out the upcoming Windward Artists Guild show for which I have chosen to represent the town of Kaʻaʻawa. It runs April 2-30, at the newly renovated Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden Gallery. The Meet the Artists reception is from 12:30 to 3:30 pm, April 6, 2025.
Choral art
These days I’m enjoying another kind of art — choral art, that is, I sing in a community choir. Our choir director apologizes for the ear worms from rehearsing the catchy tunes weekly!
Upcoming concerts are:
March 2, 4 pm, Kawaihaʻo Church, Community Choral Festival, six choirs, freewill offering in lieu of admission charge.
April WCS Spring Concert, April 27, 2025, at 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 148A Makawao St, Kailua, Oahu.
Be well!
~Rebekah
Rebekah’s Studio 
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