The Deadly Undercurrents of the Potomac River The blazing DC sun caused steam to rise from the pavement of nearby streets and walkways along the mighty, yet majestic Potomac River. I was mesmerized by the gentle blue current which inched peacefully along the bank. As I stared into the calm depths of the river, I could…
Author: Galena Chenina Brewer
Dreams May Break, But We Don't Have To
Daniela Lopez is one of the nicest, sweetest, and most loving of persons I know. However, you would never guess how much pain and courage is there behind her kind and smiling eyes. “I have no family right now. My dreams are broken.” Since her childhood, Daniela believed that family was the foundation of everything:…
What is "Giving Up"?
In 2010, Sara Jarman decided to give voluntary and charitable service for her Church in Vladivostok, Russia. For a year and a half, she was isolated from family, friends, and her previous life – for the good cause of serving others. In Sara’s religious community, serving a mission is an honorable act. However, even the…
"Giving My Best"
I had just arrived to a foreign country where its beautiful mountains were gazing upon me from almost every direction. It was late October. Red and yellow colors of falling leaves playfully danced in the air. As I watched the leaves touch the cold ground, suddenly I realized that the Indian summer was over and…
The Old Anasazi Way
There is a lot to learn from Native Americans and from those who understand the eternal laws of the universe. Recently I read a book called “The Seven Paths” written by an Anasazi Native American who inspires his readers to reconnect with wildlife. Throughout the book, the author gives examples of profound life lessons he…
Love is a Choice
Love has been a universal theme of stories, songs, and melodies throughout time and throughout all cultures. In almost every language there seem to be special words used to describe love in its various forms. As I was studying Japanese, I was struck by the grammatical difference between the verbs “to love” and “to fall…
Keep Dancing
We waited anxiously behind the stage for the name “Nezhnost’” to be called. This was the name of our dance ensemble. “Nezhnost” means tenderness in Russian, reflective of the emotions we felt as we danced. Our ensemble had been recently formed and this was our very first performance. We heard the audience cheer and applaud…
“C’est la vie” on a Russian Christmas
Today for me is Christmas. Yes, that is correct. In Russia, on January seventh, everyone celebrates Rozhdestvo or the birth of Christ. It is a time of rest and relaxation after the lively, fun, and hectic New Years celebration. One of the things I like to do on quiet holidays like Christmas, is reminisce about…