THE ART OF SEEING A SUNSET

Welcome back! Just got home last night from a wonderful trip to New York City and a 4th-of-July-get-away cruise with Queen Mary 2. Our trip/cruise was a belated celebration of our 38th wedding anniversary last June 12,2008. My husband and I embarked at New York City and then cruised to Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada), then to Boston, Massachusetts and back to NYC. This was a different cruise from the Hawaiian cruise we took during our 30th wedding anniversary. We missed the spectacular sunset. During cruising many tropical places, we always enjoyed the beauty of the sunset. I am re-posting my sunset blog. Many of my friends and viewers have seen it. For those who missed it, please enjoy. For those who have seen it before, enjoy again.

It is often said that that......"the best things in life is free." I often believed that quote.

Whenever I read about free stuffs, my eyes lightened up. I like to hear "Buy one, get one free" or "Free gift, for the first fifty customers, and many other promos. What "free" things come to my mind that money couldn't buy? For me, it's the spectacular sunset.

One time, I saw a nice "Family Circus" cartoon at the Los Angeles Times. The family was watching the sunset and the little boy asked his mom, "How much would it cost to see the sunset if God decided to charge for it?" I could only answer.......PRICELESS.

One of my passions in life is seeing a sunset wherever I am, at home or basking in Paradise. I have seen countless of spectacular sunsets during our travels but nothing melted my heart than the Hawaiian sunset. Today people are too caught up in the rush, noise, and confusion of demanding routines that it is not easy to see the beauty of the sunset before us.

Alexandra Stoddard, a famous interior designer said, "Few really know how to see and as a result are unaware of the majesty and beauty around them. But seeing can be learned, and those who learn to see well, the world becomes an entirely different place. Life is suddenly rich with promise full of light, color, texture and harmony." This is very true. We have to learn how to SEE. Just because we've been given eyesight doesn't mean we know how to use our eyes to look and really SEE.

Of all the artists I've grown to admire, the Impressionists speak to my heart most directly. The greatest gift of the Impressionists is that they taught me to look around the ordinary experiences of everyday life. In their passion for the beauty of nature, they open up a wider visions, enabling us to see nature and things more beautifully.

HOW TO SEE THE SUNSET THROUGH THE VIEWPOINT OF AN IMPRESSIONIST ARTIST? 1. WISH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WERE HERE Wherever you are, STOP and SEE the SUNSET. Claude Monet, an impressionist artist painted water lily over and over again. He said, "I have never been bored with it. It is always different." So is seeing the sunset. You'll never get bored. It is always different every passing day.
2.FIND A ROMANTIC PLACE TO SEE THE SUNSET Don't just settle for an ordinary place. During our 25th anniversary (1996) we were privileged to stay in one of the twin towers at Hyatt Regency Resort in Waikiki. We had access to the Regency Club located on top of the tower. From there, we got a breathtaking view of Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, and downtown Honolulu, that we had never seen before. From the rooftop, we saw the "most fascinating, interesting, and captivating sunset" in our whole lives.

3. BECOME A SUNSET ADMIRER AND SEE IT WITH YOUR LOVER From the Hyatt Regency rooftop, we saw this spectacular sunset. It was an overwhelming sight of the fading sunset in all it's glory. It was fascinating to see the kaleidoscopic changes in the sunset. The sunset will surely make your old flame blazing for a day, or a week, if not forever.
4. LOOK BEYOND ORDINARY COLORS Seek colors that are uplifting. Seeing vibrant and pulsating colors of the sunset will not only bring more joy and pleasure to everyday life but also transforms mere existence into the art of living.

5. SEE THE SUNSET THROUGH THE EYES OF VINCENT VAN GOGH He was my favorite impressionist artist. When I see the colorful sunset, I think of Van Gogh and began to feel that he was painting just for me. His paintings are windows into a sunny scenes and sunset, which make me alive. His vibrant yellow, a primary color has lots of wavelengths of energy and is a color you associate with cheerful sunset.
6. DON'T FORGET THAT REAL SEEING TAKES TIME AND CONTEMPLATION Watch the sunset everyday and stop what ever you're doing, to fully enjoy the sunset as it comes down to the horizon.

7. SEE THE SUNSET FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES A sunset from Maui (Hawaii) is not the same as a sunset in St. Maarten (Caribbean). Like many impressionists artists, they experimented with different colors. They are colorist - loving fresh, alive, clear colors. What a dull world this would be without colors? Imagine a world without color. A day without sunshine. And at the end of the day without a sunset.

8. WATCH THE SUNSET WITH YOUR GRAND KIDS DURING A LUAU Set aside time to have adventure and fun with your grand kids while they still want your companionship. It will also renew your souls, spirits and hearts and become like kids again.

9. TAKE A DIGITAL PHOTO OF THE SUNSET During the Impressionists era they didn't have a digital camera. They painted impressions as quickly as they saw them. Today, a digital camera can capture all the beauty and wonders of the sunset without spending days painting them. If you can't always see the sunset, you can look at your photo collections. Our spirits do not always soar. Sometimes even the noblest of spirits sinks into a despondent sea. When you get so low and desired escape from struggles, the photos of the sunset will be a divine inspiration that will help lift you up, soften your heart and open your mind.

10. FIND PLEASURES IN LITTLE THINGS LIKE THE IMPRESSIONISTS: Food that tastes delicious, friendship that is sincere, smile that is meant to cheer, a rainbow that is inspiring and a colorful sunset scene that is bursting with colors. Simple life is better.

11. TREAT YOURSELF TO A DELUXE BOX OF ACRYLIC PAINTS WITH ALL THE COLORS FOUND IN THE SUNSET Painting is a rewarding hobby even if you don't aspire to be a pro. Acrylics are more affordable than real oil paints. Create a painting on a real huge canvas with just dabbing and pointing like the Impressionists. Hang it where you'll see your "self-made-sunset" everyday. The bold colors will exalt you, elevate you and allow you to grow more creatively.

12. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT Don't be discouraged if you couldn't paint like Van Gogh. Even Van Gogh practiced, apprenticed and started with simple sketches before he became a great artist. He did it with practice, not magic. If you paint and practice a few minutes each day, you will reap tremendous benefits, over time.

13. AT THE END OF EACH DAY, LET GO AND REACH OUT So many of us hold grudges, resentments, and bitterness. The way to be happy is to forgive others for their imperfections and mistakes. They are only "human" and not perfect like a sunset. 14. KEEP ASKING YOURSELF, "WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT?" Take a few seconds to ask yourself this question. Is making more money important than taking the time to watch a sunset? Reminding yourself of what's really important helps keep your priorities straight. 15. SING "HOW GREAT THOU ART." Praise the Grand Designer (God) who created the sunset for us to enjoy. Who said that there is no such thing as free? This is a free show beyond comparison. God never made a stingy sunset. Look! What beautiful colors He put into the sunset! Chrome yellow, lemon, orange, saffron, peach, crimson, and and amber. The sun turns light peach, burnt orange, then maroon before it slips away. Tomorrow will be another day. A new day to start anew. A new painting to inspire others.

SADLY many people spend far more time watching reruns of television shows, they don't even enjoy. Instead, make time for seeing the wonders and beauty of nature like the sunrise, rainbow and sunset, that nurture the heart. I wish that you will use the precious minutes of your every day, living creatively. There are great things that you can do every day and every trip. The best is opening your eyes to see the spectacular sunset. I have been there, with my eyes open, and I desire that what my eyes have seen your eyes may also see.

"HAPPY SUNSET WATCHING!"

THE ART OF CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY

"Each time you experience the new, you become receptive to inspiration. Each time you try something different, you let the Universe know you are listening. Trust your instincts. Believe your yearnings are blessings. Respect your creative urges. If you are willing to step out in faith and take a leap in the dark, you will discover that your choices are as authentic as you are. What is more, you will discover that your life is all it was meant to be; a joyous sonnet of thanksgiving."- Sarah Ban Breathnach

HOME SWEET HOME I am happy to be back home although I am still recovering from jet-lagged. Had a wonderful and life-changing cruise and trip from the Mediterranean. I came home with many artistic and beautiful spiritual memories. I will be sharing them to you in my future blog.
CARNIVAL FREEDOM This is the fantastic and gigantic cruise ship that we sailed on during our 12-day Mediterranean cruise to Italy, Greece and Turkey. This impressive ship was designed and decorated by a well known artist named Joe Farsi. The theme of this five-months old brand new cruise ship is "blending the old and the new." I will be telling you more about this great ship later on.

ONE OF MY BEST BIRTHDAY GIFTS This photo was taken as we got down the ships gangway for our tour of Athens. Special thanks to my wonderful and loving husband who gave me one of the best birthday gifts ever (a cruise to the Mediterranean). I am very grateful and happy to celebrate another birthday during this cruise. On this special day I was in Athens, Greece. During our tour, there were 3 of us (mostly women) who celebrated our birthdays on Sept. 29th. We all wore red hats. What a coincidence! This was a birthday to remember as long as I live.

ARTISTIC ACROPOLIS (ATHENS) This is an aerial view of the Acropolis with the Parthenon and Mt. Lycavitos in the background. I celebrated my birthday with a tour to the famous Acropolis, with a breathtaking view of antiquity as I looked upwards towards the marvelous structure of the Parthenon. Together with our Greek guide, tour group and my husband we climbed up the pathway and steps through the massive Propylaia onto the rock of the Acropolis. We relived the "glory that was Greece" as we walked over this masterpiece and view the Parthenon, the delicate temple of the Wingless Victory, the Erectheion and the entire city of Athens below. What a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday that was connected to antiquity! I felt so young compared to the ages of the ruins, many built even before Christ. I was so energized that the climb up to the Parthenon was like a "walk in the park." No kidding! Before this tour, I dreaded the climb since I heard lots of exaggerated comments about how hard the climb. I made it to the top and was proud of it.

THE PARTHENON May be considered the most perfect and most significant ruin in the world. Situated on the highest platform of the Acropolis, the Parthenon rose so high above. The Greeks are famous for its architectural columns, known as "Doric, Ionic and Corinthian." The Parthenon is a great beauty due to its simplicity. Its columns are the simplest kind, using Doric style. I wonder why the builders didn't use the Corinthian columns which are more elaborate. It's always true that "simplicity is beauty" as shown in the enduring beauty of the Parthenon.

AT THE END OF THE JOURNEY As always, in the best old fairy tales, at the end of every adventure and journey....... "and Ebb Tide and her Prince live happily ever after."

ART OF CRUISING THE CARIBBEAN - 7

"With color, for the price of a pot of paint, people can express their own style and individuality. But, as with style, a gift for color has to be developed by experiment. If you don't dare, you are doomed to dullness. " - Shirley Conran

BE ALIVE WITH COLOR Too many of us are afraid of experimenting with color. You live and wear the same color day after day and consequently you are bored. And the consequence of being bored is that you are usually "boring." It takes guts to break old ways and routines. Shirley said, if you don't dare you are doomed to dullness. Boredom kills. Today, start thinking about the colors you love. Look for more ways to come alive with color. Take a creative trip this week to a paint store and look at the color spectrum. What are the colors that speak to your soul? Pick up chips. Next, go to a local art gallery in you community and indulge on a painting that catches your eye. You don't have to buy. If a print is affordable, go for it. When next at an art museum, collect colorful art postcards to send to friends. Or you can wander with me on this colorful island tour of St. Thomas. Allow yourself to be carried away by colorful impulses.
WELCOME TO THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS! An American paradise in the heart of the Caribbean: the U.S. Virgin Islands, a United States territory, has much to offer. Composed of three main islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John) with three unique personalities. The USVI have long been a favorite of travelers. St. Thomas is one of the busiest ports in the Caribbean. By far the most visited of the three islands, St. Thomas has long been the favorite of honeymooners and cruise passengers.
WAKING UP In St. Thomas is like seeing an American impressionist paintings by Mary Cassatt. Who is Mary? She was an American painter who spent much of her career in France. She was a member of the French impressionist movement. Like her French impressionist friends, Mary used light, bright colors and sketch brushstrokes to create the effect of what the eyes see at a glance. Mary became famous for her paintings of mother's loving moments shared with their young children in everyday situation. She also painted serene scenes of mother and daughter riding in a boat. There is something in those boat scenes that truly touched my heart.
SAINT THOMAS......What a handsome name for a male saint! Who is a saint? A person who is exceptionally holy, meek, charitable, patient. etc. These are good definitions but here's my own creative descriptions of a Saint named........... Thomas:
S...........................SPECTACULAR
A...........................ALIVE
I............................INTRIGUING
N...........................NOT ORDINARY
T............................TANTALIZING, TRANQUIL

T...........................TALL/TOWERING
H...........................HANDSOME
O...........................OLD, OPULENT
M..........................MAGNIFICENT
A...........................AMAZING
S...........................SENSATIONAL
SPECTACULAR SCENE OF ST. THOMAS This scene is like walking out of a spectacular Mary Cassatt painting. Mary loved to paint colorful boat scenes similar to this one. During a cruise, every morning of your life is new. Every port is new. Every island is new. Every face is new. Everything in the world is new. Let's learn to see each new day with the colorful eyes of Mary. There's something with Mary's creative eyes that's worth peeking at.
ALIVE Nothing will make you alive than gliding on an exciting sky ride to Paradise Point. Board the Sky ride for the 15-minute round trip ride, 700 feet above sea level.
INTRIGUING PARADISE POINT Passengers are taken up a 700-foot peek. Who said... "It's lonely at the top?" Not here. There is plenty of time and creative ways to browse the colorful shops and enjoy a complimentary frozen drinks.
NOT ORDINARY SIGHT BUT EXTRAORDINARY At every side you look, the different views are extraordinarily inspiring. For an extraordinarily stunning views of Charlotte Amalie harbor, try the Paradise Point sky way.
TANTALIZING VIEWS Of Magens Bay, rated by national geographic as one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. The Crown Princess dock on the port below.
TRANQUIL SETTING Views from the World Famous "Mountain Top." Enjoy tantalizing views from the highest point of St. Thomas (1547) feet. This mountain top offers serene and spectacular views of nearby St. John, and neighboring islands, the harbor of Charlotte Amalie nestled below, and cruise ships. This is a teachable moment: "Creativity does not happen in a tense environment. Tranquility is the mental climate in which creativity happens and tension blocks the flow of creative ideas."- Robert Shuller
TALL AND TOWERING PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN What makes the blood rush to your heart? For me, its seeing the color red. But also looking at my ideal man - tall, dark and handsome pirate. But wait a minute, this guy has missing hand and foot. Yo Ho Ho.....he is not the ideal guy after all.
HANDSOME PIRATES? HANDSOMER THAN JOHNNY DEPP. NO WAY! The guy on the left could make my heart skips but the guy on the right makes my knees....shaky. I am seeing black blood.....let's run......
OLD AND OPULENT CHARLOTTE AMALIE You can walk for hours browsing and shopping on Charlotte Amalie narrow alleyways and streets. Endless shops and boutiques full of colorful gems, creative arts and crafts.
MAGNIFICENT SCENE OF CHARLOTTE AMALIE. Someone said....If you don't like the scene you're in, if you don't feel that things are happening, change your scene. Paint a new backdrop."
AMAZING COLOR Bold cobalt blue plus hot pink colors have the power to amaze. Amazed and dazzled at all the multi-stuffs for sale, it was very hard not to open one's wallet. Oh, the power of color!
SENSATIONAL FAREWELL SHOW From the kitchen crew of the Crown Princess. All dressed up in a patriotic American color- red, white and blue. An emotional moment but fun-filled evening of fine dining on board.
SENSATIONAL FAREWELL DESSERT ( BAKED-ALASKA) Our head waiter, slicing this giant dessert. It's hard to say "Good-bye" to the Crown Princess after all the wonderful times we had on this cruise ship. So long!
HOW MANY WAYS CAN YOU SLICE THE COLORFUL "AMERICAN PIE?" Let us count the slices:
1. Slice side ways...... Break your routine. If you're always the straight person, try becoming a curvy one sometimes.
2. Straight cut............ Focus on one goal at a time. Too many goals are distracting.
3.Diagonal cut ...........Avoid perfection. Nobody is perfect.
4.Anyway you slice it......Think outside the box. That's the creative and colorful way!

ART OF CRUISING THE CARIBBEAN - 4

"The landscape with its bold, intense colours, dazzled and blinded me." - Paul Gauguin

WELCOME TO SANTA LUCIA This is a very lovely and peaceful island. The first European who settled in Sta. Lucia are the French. Today, there are still many traces of French influence in this island. I am sure if the famous French painter, Paul Gauguin had been to this island, he would have immortalized it on his masterpieces. I know he lived in Martinique Island for a while before settling in Tahiti. When scouting for a movie set as stand-in for Tahiti, the island of St. Lucia is a close choice. They look like twin sisters. I have not been to Tahiti, but after gazing at many Gauguin's paintings of Tahiti, I can say I had seen it.PAUL GAUGUIN Is one of my favorite artists. Early in 1891, when French post-impressionist painter Gauguin left France for Tahiti, his home for the reminder of his life, he began a series of paintings depicting the beauty of island life in the South Pacific Seas. He was enchanted with this magical place. One of my favorite paintings of his is the above painting entitled "Tahitian Mountains." When he painted it, he said...." the landscape dazzled and blinded me." It's a stunning scenery with spectacular mountains and lush vegetation. He painted the mountains in deep brown and orange, palm trees in deep yellow and ochre, and trees in verdant green.

LOVELY SANTA LUCIA! This is like discovering Paul Gauguin's "earthly paradise (Tahiti)." But this other "earthly paradise" is (Sta. Lucia) located in the Southern Caribbean. You don't have to travel the distance to appreciate this island. Just look at the many paintings of Paul Gauguin about Tahiti, and you have a dream-like vision of this paradise. Well, I couldn't think of any artist who is more qualified to paint Sta. Lucia's landscapes/seascapes and guide us around the island than Paul Gauguin. He left us many of his dramatic imprints and colorful brushstrokes on many of the worlds most beautiful paintings of paradises. Let's look and savor this island with his delicious and inspiring brushstrokes.

S................................STUNNING, SINCERE

A...............................ADORABLE

N...............................NATURAL

T...............................TWINKLING

A...............................AGELESS

L...............................LOVELY
U...............................UNIQUE,UNUSUAL

C................................CHARMING, CREATIVE, COOL

I.................................INTERESTING

A................................AMAZING

STUNNING WELCOME AND VIEW This island is as lovely and stunning as a sincere saint named Lucia. Here's a stunning view of the island and our cruise ship from a photo stop. Everybody will be inspired to be an artist even if you had only done paint by numbers or did coloring books. This dreamy paradise will inspire you where ever you go around the island.
ADORABLE ISLAND AND COUPLE Enjoyable royal breakfast at our cruise ship (Crown Princess) before the 7 1/2 hours tour of Sta. Lucia island. The view is also adorable from this spot. NATURAL BEAUTY ON EVERY SIDE Sta. Lucia is a natural beauty inside and outside. The tour was a leisurely drive around the island, feasting our eyes with awesome views of the crystalline and colorful ocean. This natural setting will surely be a life changing experience for everybody. You don't have to be an artist, poet or musician to be awestruck by the natural beauty of Sta. Lucia. TWINKLING AND SPARKLING OCEAN VIEW AROUND THE ISLAND This scenic east coast took our breath away. We had a photo stop on this rugged but picturesque Atlantic coastline. Just being here, and the mixture of the ocean and the rocks come together, it's really a spiritual experience. To be around a place that the Master Designer (God) created that is this huge, it's a little bit humbling. A new sparkling view can change your perspective in life and put twinkle in your eyes.
AGELESS This awesome view is ageless and will transport you to a Paradise. Who said, there is no paradise on earth? This earthly paradise is a real place where time and age do not exists. Once you saw this place and reached the peak, your worry will disappear, smile will be sweeter, and outlook brighter. That's why you'll feel........ ageless.

LOVELY TOGETHER This is a lovely view from the top of an electric power house. The lovely view of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea merging together will remain in our memories and hearts forever. Traveling two by two is the best way I know to climb the mountains of life. Each plateau is special, and when you and your mate stand together, each achievement is doubled in joy.
UNIQUE Ever seen a drive - in volcano? We did! We journeyed to Sulphur Springs, the world's only drive in volcano. Only in Sta. Lucia could you drive a car through a dormant volcano.

Real life is not always mountain -top experience. Sometimes life is flat like going through a dormant volcano. In art variety and texture make a painting more interesting. So is it in real life. Variety is the spice of life.
UNUSUAL We're not so far away from the volcano. A close up of the unusual volcano. The sulphur smelled........... awful but the different textures are worth a peek.
CHARMING BALENBOUCHE ESTATE This French estate is one of the few surviving original plantation in Sta. Lucia. It is surrounded with sprawling tropical gardens with colorful flowers and fruit trees. A charming place for an artist studio but not easy to maintain. It's versus painting or owning a huge estate that's burdensome to maintain. I'd chose a small loft or space, where, I'd be free to paint and do whatever I like to do.

CHARMING ESTATE PLANTATION HOUSE Its colonial architecture dates back to the early 19th century and rooms are furnished with antiques from around the same period. Traces of a pre-Columbian presence are also evident at the estate and include rock basins, petroglyphs, and a collection of artifacts.
CHARMING TROPICAL MANGOES Reminded me of Gauguin's mango paintings. When he lived in Tahiti, he painted lots of juicy mangoes plucked off the tree - in deep yellow, orange and red. What fruit has the combined flavor of very ripe peaches, apricots and pineapples? Why, the mango, of course. The green mangoes will turn yellow or orange when ripe. If you've never tried one, you're in for a tropical treat. Varying in size, shape and color, mangoes offer a juicy yellow-orange flesh with a rich taste and spicy aroma.
CHARMING AND COLORFUL PAPAYA TREE Gauguin loved to paint the papaya tree too. Many of his landscapes are dotted with papaya trees. I love to eat papaya but never painted one. Someday???????????? COOL TAMARIND TREE AND FRUIT The color of tamarind is brown -from light to dark brown. Not very colorful to paint but very delicious fruit to eat especially for conceiving women.

COOL THATCHED HUT Americans call this type of house "thatched hut." But in my heart and mind, it will always be my small "nipa hut." Seeing this nipa hut transported me back to my roots, to our small town and province in Victoria, Tarlac (Philippines). It also reminded me of many Filipino paintings. Gauguin painted this hut too. Usually this cool nipa hut is a popular subject in tropical places.

COOL AND CHARMING VILLAGE Love this charming setting. Reminded me of a Philippine village or Hawaiian village. The village is a colorful riot of tropical flowers and trees. It makes you want to take off and play like little kid again. Let's start doing finger-painting, huh?

COOL AND CUTE NIPA HUT. Reminded me of my birth place. I was born during World War II and hospitals were closed. One day, my mother told me..."All of my children were born in the hospital except you. You were born inside a simple nipa hut." During that time, I felt sorry for myself. But after traveling so many Paradises, I discovered that the thatched hut is a symbol of paradise. Isn't a nipa hut more charming than a sterile, white hospital? A nipa hut is surrounded with whispering palm trees, swaying mango trees, breezy bamboos and pretty papaya trees. Wow! It's a humble dwelling and birth place, but you know what, I would never exchange it for a high-tech hospital. This is as close to paradise as you can get.
INTERESTING The magnificent Pitons (twin peaks) rising over 2,600 feet above the azure waters of the Caribbean. This is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

IMPRESSIVE The Pitons are impressive site and here's a photo taken during one stop......."Wish You're Here!" With travel, our minds become more curious and creative, our hearts more powerful and our spirits more joyous.

P.S. The peaks reminded us of a famous landmark. Bora-Bora? Bali-Hai? Nope! Wake up! This is Sta. Lucia. AMAZING OCEAN COLORS You'll never get depressed here even if you're surrounded with many different kinds of blue colors. Let me count the blues-aqua, aquamarine, azure, blueberry, cerulean, cobalt blue, cobalt, indigo, lapis lazuli, dark blue, light blue, medium blue, navy, navy blue, Prussian blue, powder blue, robin's-egg blue, ultramarine, sapphire, sky blue, turquoise. Now you know as many kinds of blues, you can start painting your room blue. It's a calming and relaxing color. You'll have a good night sleep and dream of many more "Paradises" to come.

FAREWELL THOUGHT: When you come to Paradise, leave your laptop, alarm clock and cell phone at home. When you return, everything will be recharged, especially YOU! Just once in a life time, everyone should have the opportunity to taste Paradise. Till our next tour!