gardens

I have been traveling a bit as of late - Chicago, Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Connecticut. Getting through security has been a humorous learning experience but more on that later. Let's just say that I learned my lesson after trying to sneak through the "Premier/First-Class" line with my "Back of the Bus" ticket and getting caught. Luckily no hand-cuffs were involved. But, all the pat-downs aside, the journeys have taken me to some beautiful places. Here are a few highlights:

My last visit to St. Louis allowed me the opportunity to get up close and personal with the Gateway Arch. The experience was powerful, much more so than I expected. The structure sparkled in the sunlight, rising up from the ground in a dance of metal, elegant and strong. As I sat on the grass underneath the rainbow of metal overhead, I was filled with hope. Hope and possibility suspended in air.

My travels to Washington, D.C. brought me to the beautiful gardens of Dumbarton Oaks, a historic mansion in the heart of Georgetown. The artistic design of the entire property is magical. From every vantage point, the eye is given a new perspective on the various "rooms" and cutting gardens. The benches throughout the gardens invite as a quiet place for reflection or reading nook of sorts. I particularly loved this walkway with the alley of trees.






Finally, to Connecticut, to the backyard where I learned how to sunbathe and jump on a trampoline. My mother's garden is quite possibly one of my most favorite places in the world. The roses were in full bloom outside my window, while a vase full of them graced my bedside. Quite a perfect way to wake up on Memorial Day to remember all of those who devote their life and devoted their lives to keeping this country safe.

rain or shine

Today's rain has me in a sleepy and achey mood after the beautiful weekend of sunshine. How nature seems to keep us from becoming unappreciative is quite amusing and indeed necessary. But could I ever get sick of sunshine and eighty degree breezes? In any weather, the weekends end and Monday begins without delay. I am grateful that this Monday I was smart enough to bring an umbrella and wear rain boots to my interview with a change of shoes in my bag. Otherwise, standing at 1370 6th Avenue at 3:30pm for an interview at 3:30pm looking for 1372 6th Avenue would have ruined my amusement. Luckily the fault of the wrong address was not mine but was written incorrectly in the email that was sent to me. All in all, as I arrived at 1372 Broadway, my feet were dry, my resume was legible, and the woman I met with was genuinely kind. We did in fact own the same rain coat which we admired on the back of the door and shared stories about our experience with spinal issues. Who knows what will come from my conversation with her but when I left the building, my multiple cab rides getting there seemed from a different day. Our time together gave me new hope in my job journey. Rainy days can turn out to be ok too.  

happy weekend

My kitchen is finally ready. Two weeks of living with plastic curtains and tarps (the dishwasher, refrigerator and oven in my hallway, the bathroom sink holding dishes) was a test for my patience. Yes - there was water damage. No - I did not overflow my bathtub. Long story short, there was a pipe that burst two floors above me, leaving my apartment the only one to have six gallons of water wash its walls every hour for 24 hours. Naturally. So I laughed and cried throughout the process, trying to find the humor in the chaos. I think my mother would be proud with my fastidious attention to "sealing" off the rest of my apartment from the imposing dust and dampness. Even the donuts I brought to the workmen as a bit of an incentive, was an homage to the ice cream sandwiches she has at the wait for the UPS man. After all, she does teach me everything I know. So the moment is only appropriate to go into this Mother's Day weekend with a sparkly new kitchen. What a welcome feeling of zen. I hope you all have a happy weekend filled with fun and sun.