Professional

At the beginning of July, I had the opportunity to spend a week in NYC and study at Columbia Teacher's College. It was the most gratifying, stimulating, and exciting professional development experience I've had to date. The odd dichotomy was that amidst the incredible scholarly, intense climate, I was in a state of child-like fascination and ease...there was joy in the hard thinking and yes, even in the homework (except for that novel I was forced to read - blerg).

Perhaps there is some cosmic charge here to help my middle schoolers find that same dichotomy in their school year. We'll see.

I am so grateful to my fabulous colleagues Monica, Mara, and Jim/Sweet Bear for their company and energy and patience with my seriously behind-the-curve knowledge of how to navigate NYC. I will never forget life on Park Avenue nor your generosity of spirits...

In further pursuit of the whimsy, I decided to revise my usual attempt at travel journaling. Let's be honest - I only really write the first two days anyway. SO - I decided to sketch and list. I'm pretty happy with the result - it's visually pleasing for me:



And, while I'm well aware I will never remember every detail, at least the list will jog my memory.

For history sake, I'm including the list here electronically:
Park Avenue * fireworks on the roof in Chelsea * Ning * Winks * Fig and Olive * Lend Me a Tenor * reading in the park's enchanted garden * Shake Shack * required reading! * N train * Mister Softee virgin run * my public art platforms * Ellen's Starlight Diner * "All that Jazz!" * The Bachelorette * Thai food on 9th * Promises, Promises with Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenowith * Swoozie and Blythe * Sinatra on Match * Lucy Calkins * Kathy Collins * Tim Rasinski * David Booth * Jon Scieska * Brooke Gellar * Mary Ehrenworth * Cornelius * Cilantro * Bankstreet Books * pinkberry * Mary likes my shirt! * Watermelon margarita * using film in the RW * MOMA - Miro Picaso la Chase Pollock Mondrian Calder mobiles * The Burger Joint * eavesdropping on a "date" * Mister Softee revisited * B&N Union Square * deli lunch in the park * Monica's train to PA hits a person * horse pigeon * flight to CLT nearly gas-challenged

Photos in the album below for those who are interested...

It's Here!

pinkberry in Charlotte...at long last! One of my favorite things from CA coming to NC makes me a happy girl...so happy I had Dave take a picture of our first trip post-power-yoga. Let the great debate between YoForia and pinkberry begin...

"Apparently not everything..."

We are OBSESSED with the bachelorette this season and proud to say it. Clearly, it is guilty pleasure and not quality TV but it is oh...so...good. Last night we were yelling at the TV as we watched Frank's antics (he made it to the top 3 before telling Ali that he was still in love with his ex).

As we get close to the finale, several things are on my mind. One, the myth that being with a "true love" will somehow complete you is still alive and well in our society. Two, that even though Frank was an a**hole, our bachelorette Ali took the news, grieved, and chose not to let his boneheaded-ness take her dignity.

When she told Frank that "she gave up everything to be" on the show, he replied "I gave up everything, too." Ali's reply: "Apparently, not everything." Love the spirit, girlie. We are hoping for a happy ending for you...and hoping that you know the love of a partner - even a really amazing one - won't fill up those empty spots inside us all.

Thank you lawn people...

Dave and I are sitting in line waiting to leave the parking lot after the John Mayer concert. There is also a young girl peeing to our left behind a rock. She thinks she's hidden, but she's not.

Anyhoo...man, what a show. I've always liked his music - definitely put a track or two on playlists now and again - but I didn't realize what a passionate and talented musician he is. He plays with an authenticity and commitment that is, frankly, inspiring. I also appreciated his candor...before his last number he thanked the audience for coming - "I know money is tight and I'm not exactly a new artist - it means a lot to me that you all spent your cash to come hear us." Classy.

Then he amped up the class by playing his encore on a make-shift stage in the middle of the lawn seats. Super impressive. You can imagine the volume of teenage girls' screams at this point in the evening.

At the risk of sounding quite indulgent, I'd like to thank John Mayer - for enteraining us, noticing the little people, and inspiring me to wonder about living from your soul.

Oh dear-there's another squatter. Hehe.

Near Perfection

Today was a near-perfect day in NYC. I woke up early and walked to Starbucks, shopped at the local market, ate at Shake Shack (mmm...concretes), lounged in the park and read for several hours, and watched fireworks ona roof top on Chelsea. Sigh. A lucky girl am I.

Created to be Read

A wise man reminded me today that we were all "created to be read" - to have relationships that are good and intimate and honest. Relationships that bring out the best of us and that love us at our worst.

I don't have time for a long post, but I found the wording so profound, I wanted to get it down.