Friday, March 19, 2010

Tomorrow I start my tip down to Florida for two weeks. Here's my horoscope for today. Sometimes the Universe knows me so well.
You have only one thing to do before you settle down for some serious recreation with your favorite playmates: Make sure all your business is taken care of. You wouldn't want to be in the middle of a wonderful evening, and then suddenly remember you left the computer on, would you? And you'll want to leave the cell phone at home, right? Well then, be sure to double check on your way out the door.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Saturday, March 13, 2010

An ambitious weekend

72/365
It's an ugly, rainy Saturday that's supposed to be crappy all weekend. I don't really mind as long as I have a good book, internet access and a well-stocked kitchen.

In anticipation of my sloth-like existence today, I prepared a yummy raspberry-topped plate of french toast.

Be jealous. It's only 9:30 and I'm ready for my morning nap.
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Thursday, March 11, 2010

My MOMA trip

Wednesday was an adventure day. I was meeting @vivzan at the Museum of Modern Art to see the Tim Burton exhibit.

I started my day in Jersey City as I waited for the Path train to take me to midtown Manhattan.


It was a nice day so I walked the 20 blocks from Herald Square up to 53rd Street.


I often forget that New York is a tourist spot. To me, it's just an extension of my neighborhood. So when I walked into the museum lobby at 10:30 on a Wednesday morning, I was a little shocked to see it to packed and humming with a dozen different languages.

I was thankful that I ordered and printed out my entry ticket last night because the lines were just too much to bare. I found a spot on a comfy ottoman and waited for @vivzan as I watched the people take pictures.

There were two things that caught my eye in the lobby. The first was this inflatable Tim Burton creature with many eyes. Even though he has a grotesque style, this thing seemed friendly and cuddly.
Tim Burton's crazy creatures

The second thing was a large painting hanging above an information desk.
Don't be a dick

At first glance, it looked like a silly painting of sailors with big noses. But upon closer look, I realized. Those weren't noses.

Viviane arrived and we set out immediately to the exhibit space for Tim Burton.


I really had no idea how talented he was as an illustrator and painter. I was even more floored when I learned that he was an animator for Disney. But the detail and shading in even his notepad doodles were so amazing.
Disturbing
Soon we were hungry and tired and needed a break. We went to the cafeteria on the 3rd floor and MOMA even made the meals another art instillation.
Even the presentation of lunch is artistic
Each plate was presented as beautifully as it tasted. I had a tender chicken pannini and Viv had the yummiest pollenta I ever tasted. Then dessert... I had a rich, chocolate torte that could only be enjoyed with a glass of cold milk.
Mmmm...chocolate torte and milk

After lunch, we forced our tired and full bodies to the rest of the museum. I loved the Monets and Van Gogh, the Seurat and Cézanne. I can even appreciate Picasso, Warhol and Pollock. I loved the photography exhibit where everyday, mundane pictures made the cut. Some, no more impressive than a candid shot of my dog chasing a squirrel outside.

But then we got to the strange stuff and I just have to wonder, what makes it art? There was an instillation of a chair, and another of four pushpins stuck in a wall with string all around them.
Then my favorites are the canvases painted one solid color with a line of white running down the side.

Seriously? WTF?!

But then we'd come across something interesting again.

Part of the art

It was a long day and by 4:30 we were all tired out. Damn, we were getting old.

I walked back down from 53rd through Times Square and came upon a little NYC drama.
Do Not Cross
I have no idea what happened. But 7th Ave was blocked off with tons of fire trucks, cop cars and a couple of stretchers. There were lines of people taking photos and videos but no one had a clue what happened. Typical. Just another day in New York City.

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Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Time to spring into action

Things on the job front has begun to slow down considerably. Only temporarily, mind you. I start my new job April 5. But between now and then will be a glorious month of just...being.

68/365

I started my Tuesday laying in bed for about an hour reading a collaboration with Sue Monk Kidd and her daughter Ann Kidd Taylor in the book "Traveling with Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story". I've loved her books since I read "Dance of the Dissident Daughter" and started my own personal journey searching for myself and the sacred feminine.

IMGP3853Traveling with Pomegranates starts with the mother-daughter team traveling together in Greece. They are both on a journey to find themselves: Sue as she enters her 50's and Ann as she graduates college; as women coming to terms with their new role in life. As the story describes the incredible heat of the Athens streets and the spiritual connectedness they felt at the Acropolis, I was taken back to my own pilgrimage to Greece last summer.

Sue mentioned a quote that she inscribed in her own red leather journal that resonated with me.
"Pilgrims are poets who create by taking journeys." -Richard Neibhur
I am a poet to the core. I find myself by traveling. I am especially looking forward to this month off because it provides me with an opportunity to recharge my batteries. I will be driving down to Florida to attend the Learning Solutions Conference and Expo in Orlando. I loved it last year and I'm sure I will get as much out of it this year. After the conference, I'll be catching up with sorority sisters and finally meeting up with family and hopefully scuba diving in the Keys. Like any of my travels, there is a lot of room for change of plans so each day I will have to answer the question "What do I want to do today?"

Like Sue and Ann, I also feel like I'm at an important point in my life. I have finally found a career that I enjoy, I found an opportunity to give back through coaching and mentoring the women of my sorority, I can live a comfortable (and not extravagant) lifestyle, and I'm enjoying the skin I'm in. I'm in a really good place right now and I have to constantly remind myself to stop and appreciate it.

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