26 April 2009

New York City

New York City. Five boroughs. Numerous neighborhoods. Which one do I prefer? I could never choose just one. For me, it’s like politics. I like each candidate for something different. This trip I covered a lot of ground, visiting friends and family. From Queens to Park Slope, Brooklyn to each village, West, East and Greenwich included, to the Upper West & East Side.



Throughout the whole city, all the trees and flowers are blossoming. The prominent, yellow daffodils and clean, brightening tulips line the streets. The cherry blossoms create arches over the streets and parks, enveloping the gems of the city, framing the structures that have been in this city for years. A few gorgeous days & nights of weather brought out the city. In Central Park. Along the Hudson. Down, up and across the streets.

I could visit the MOMA every week, if not everyday. Each time a new thought is provoked. Looking at works of art, I continue to wonder what was going through the minds of each artist when they painted, drew, constructed or sculpted their works. I have true appreciation and respect for art. Creativity makes life more brilliant.
The people in New York are more than intriguing. Each person has a story waiting to be told. Aged faces easily seen as great history. The more weathered, the more deepening the story. The subway is something I find so serene. Creating and imagining my own story of where the man sitting across from me has been in his life. How the scar above his left eyebrow happened? How long will the people asleep at the end of line will ride the train for and where in the city they will eventually wake up? Will the saxophone player, entertaining the waiting subway goers, ever be discovered for his talent?

21 April 2009

Family

Family. Blood or not. The people you surround yourself with become your family. The ones who support you. Through it all. Less judgments. They are the people you turn to when everything else is in shambles. The ones you want to share your most exciting news with first. Each individual in your life plays a different, significant role. All of them teach you. Educate you about life. How to live it. And how to just be.

I luckily have the best family, all friends included. Each one of them I love. Everyday. The relationships I have with them are more important to me than they will ever know. I can’t begin to express how thankful I am to have them, all of them.

Life truly is about relationships. Some are lost, some are broken and the best ones are forever. The most important one being with yourself. Once you’re happy with yourself, everything else falls into place. Believe in yourself, daily.

13 April 2009

Greg & Jess' Wedding

Saturday, April 11, 2009 Brookfield, CT.

My bonus brother's wedding. Beautiful. Two great people with amazing love for each other. Such a great time with so many good people.

Love going to weddings. Don't think I'll actually have a big one of my own.



My bonus sister and new bonus sister in law!













My bonus brother!

San Francisco

March 26-April 4, 2009

I’m in love. with this city. I could discover for years. It’s a high possibility I will live here one day. Having good weather during my entire stay definitely helped in the positive outlook I have of the city, but even without it I would have been happy.

Sitting in Alamo Square Park with friends having good conversation made me change my flight for three days later on a whim. It was the best decision I’d made in awhile.

What was discovered: An albino alligator in the Academy of Sciences. Great soup & beer at Suppenkuche. Philz coffee. Dolores Park. Great wine & a fabulous wine slinger at Bin38. BBQ goodness & good friends at Farmerjohn. Pacifica beach. Good meal with great people in a parking lot at Nonas.


Walking Golden Gate Bridge. Bridges fascinate me. Every aspect of them. Minibar for creepy Irish men & a good bartender. Mojo. Vegan Doughnuts from People's. Meggies boutique. Pizza at LittleStar. Bourbon at Alembic. Raw oysters & bread salad at Zuni Cafe. Golden Gate Park. Apparently there are bison. Drum circles in the conservatory of flowers always brings a smile to my face.


So many characters walk, bike and ride the streets of this city. Each one of them equally or more interesting than the last.



Good friends are like stars. you may not always see them but you always know they are there.

12 April 2009

Mexico

March 21-25, 2009 Las Gaviotas, Mexico

A place I wake up happy every morning. A chance to get away from reality. A place for relaxation & fun. A real dream. I luckily have the best friend a girl could ask for. and it turns out her family has a house in Mexico. So many great times have been had here. And hopefully so many more will be had in the future.

It's a real shame so many have a fear of visiting this wonderful place. I try not to live in fear. ever. Be smart when you travel. End of story.

Airports/Airplanes

Airports bring so many people together, yet take so many away. So much happiness coupled with so much sadness must be a disaster of a place, yet I find it almost calming. People crying, yet so many others running to the arms of a loved one. Where am I in the mix? I’m anxious, nervous, sad to say goodbye, happy to say hello.

I like wearing silly socks when I’m going to the airport so everyone can see them when I take my shoes off to go thru security. Or at least have nicely painted toenails. Why do I have to take my laptop out of the bag? Why is a liquid smaller than three ounces not going to hurt someone? I’m pretty sure anyone really wanting to destroy an airplane will do it with less than three ounces.

My motto: Try to be asleep before taking off
Due to crying, screaming toddlers, babies wanting to sleep on me, chatty neighbors, anxiousness or whatever it may be, asleep by take off is not always the case. I decided on my flight back east I really don’t like red eye flights. I didn’t sleep one wink. I did watch two good movies though. I cried. Crying on planes makes me more sad. And makes me feel alone. I would have rather slept.

Why is the upright position of my chair needed for take off and landing? I’m pretty sure the entire three inches of chair adjustment allowed will not make a difference. Why is there not free wifi in all airports? So I’m not in the Admiral’s Club. No one should be other than an actual Admiral. I want internet access, NOW. Why is there not free wifi during all flights like Virgin? I love Virgin. Get with it ALL other airlines.