This is about Syria and it is not about Syria; this is about politics and it is not about politics; this is about global challenges and it is not about global challenges; this is about the world's reaction but it is not about the world. This is about my own feelings in regards to what…Read more I am so sorry, Aleppo
Neighbor
Lest we forget…
"Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it." (Edmund Burke) Beautiful October day and I am enjoying my morning coffee. Checking the news, Facebook, e-mails... thinking about something fun to do later in the day. I was planning to write my weekly blog about something fun, too. I thought to myself - enough…Read more Lest we forget…
Shape of my heart
September 21 is the International Day of Peace. So, what? The world does not seem very peaceful; many relationships strained or broken; armed conflicts and rumors of wars in too many places; resources and environment being fought over; refugees in millions; fundamentalists clashing with libertarians; anxiety and fear in the headlines; elections becoming so divisive…Read more Shape of my heart
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
By losing our neighbors we lose a part of ourselves
I continue to reflect on my recent trip to Ukraine. Particularly the city of Lutsk, the regional center of Volyn province. It is a very nice, slow paced city in northwestern part of Ukraine with very fascinating story. It has a beautiful old castle and lots of other interesting cultural, historical and architectural sights. But…Read more By losing our neighbors we lose a part of ourselves
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
“Ich bin ein Berliner…”
There are words and there are famous words. Phrases that people quote. I don't know how long we will remember these words "Ich bin ein Berliner" (I am a citizen of Berlin) by U.S. President John F Kennedy but to lots of people they still mean something. It came to my mind on a recent…Read more “Ich bin ein Berliner…”
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…
Recognize when evil identifies itself
Evil is real and evil is evil. Bad, wrong, wicked, harmful... Often we try to call it something else though. Either we don't know what it is or we don't believe in moral "good" and "bad" or we don't want to be the ones to judge. There are many reasons for our hesitation to use…Read more Recognize when evil identifies itself
peaceroads 