Despite being the 4th largest city in Malaysia and the capital of Sarawak, Kuching is a relatively quiet town (especially compared to the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur). Not much in the way of world-class events comes to Kuching. But one event, the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) had its start in Kuching in 1997 and has been held here every year since.
Continue reading We’re Going to the Rainforest World Music Festival
Following my sister’s Hawaiian-style wedding on the grounds of the Ko’olau Golf Club, we went to the Club’s main ballroom for the Hawaiian-style reception. I say “Hawaiian-style” because we include facets from the many different ethnicities that make up Hawaii, yet in a uniquely Hawaiian way. Case in point is the framed 1001 cranes artwork that was commissioned for her wedding:
The design is made up entirely of 1001 hand-folded, gold foil origami cranes. Ancient Japanese tradition was that a bride-to-be would fold 1000 cranes in order for a wish (such as long life or good fortune) to be granted. Japanese in Hawaii do it one better for extra luck!
You may recall that a couple of months ago, our family traveled to Hawaii to attend my sister’s wedding. Right around the time we were about to depart for Hawaii, my grandmother went to the hospital, complaining of shortness of breath. She was admitted to the ICU with fluid in her lungs. She spent almost a month at the hospital, going in and out of the ICU.
We were able to visit her in the hospital a couple of times while we were there. The last time was just before we came back to Malaysia. She seemed to be on the mend, and I hoped against hope that we would be able to see her again the next time we came back to Hawaii.
A few weeks ago, my grandmother passed away. She was 92.
She was laid to rest today in Honolulu. The following is the letter of remembrance that I wrote for her funeral.
