"What is the purpose of your visit? And how long are you staying?" are the routine questions I hear from US Customs and Border control upon arrival. I have quite the collection of memories from these annual interviews. Waiting in line for my turn, trying to decide which customs guy looks the friendliest, preparing my…Read more Dipping my feet in Americana waters
Culture
Most difficult peace with ourselves
My claim to fame - meeting and talking with Brian "Head" Welch from Korn. I was never a huge fan. I could not relate to their darkness and anger and even less to the destructive lifestyle, but few years ago I heard Head perform his solo album "Save me from myself". Talk about a story…Read more Most difficult peace with ourselves
An inspiring day at the cemetery
Some may consider it morbid but Latvians like their cemeteries. Of course, not all Latvians and there is an ongoing debate why we pay so much attention to our grave sites and what does it say about our psyche and values and so forth. Even though things are changing, most people still choose to be…Read more An inspiring day at the cemetery
Irish way of turning Darkness into Light
For those who noticed that I took a little break from writing... there are times when you just have to give full attention to the people you are with, seize the moment and enjoy it. So, I had put the computer away. And who wants to be on computer when you are visiting the beautifully…Read more Irish way of turning Darkness into Light
Navigating through fake news, stupid news and no news
Honestly I feel very challenged. This is getting harder and harder and some days my brain simply revolts and screams at me. "Stop stretching me so thin! Stop feeding me this stuff! Give me something good to chew and digest that will bring life! Give me a break... period." We are taught to be critical…Read more Navigating through fake news, stupid news and no news
Dear Latvia, I love you
This is my dear grandmother Margaret who is only 5 years younger than the Republic of Latvia. Born in 1923, she has seen and experienced many things, lost much but also gained much. She teaches me how not to take things for granted. She also teaches me about courage, sacrifice, creativity, gratitude and hope. Today…Read more Dear Latvia, I love you
The age of information diarrhea
I took this photo in Berlin while sightseeing around Brandenburg Gate. It was one of those surreal moments when you have to get out your camera to prove to yourself that this is real. Most of us notice it and most of us do it. I knew that it would be a good photo for…Read more The age of information diarrhea
Hello, Ukraine… finally
I keep a diary. Yesterday I read some of the things written down in last two years and countless times it mentions Ukraine. Ukraine has been and still is on my heart. I have friends from Ukraine, I like Ukrainian food, I visited Ukraine as a teenager with my family, I love Ukrainian sunshine and…Read more Hello, Ukraine… finally
My friends from Syria help me to be a better Latvian
Aleppo, gold, Riga, silver, amber - what do these have in common? My husband and I have dear friends who came to Latvia under most difficult circumstances. They are a wonderful family of four and their home used to be in Aleppo, Syria. It used to be a beautiful city before the war. Rich cultural…Read more My friends from Syria help me to be a better Latvian
What makes us Latvian? Let’s talk values…
Few days ago I watched a debate about values in Latvia. Big topic and lots of interpretations. Afterwards I had more questions than answers. What is a value? Is there such a thing as specifically Latvian values? How are our values different from other places and cultures? Or are they the same? I think of…Read more What makes us Latvian? Let’s talk values…
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