Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
a touch of nostalgia
Recently, I downloaded Picasa and have been using it to organize and edit the photos on my computer. The way they are in the program, I can view my entire library and simply scroll down to see all of the pictures I have. Doing that is almost like taking a trip in a time machine, going back through the days, months, and years. Granted, I have only been using a digital camera for a little over four years and a lot of those pictures are no longer on my computer, but it is amazing to see everything that has taken place during that relatively short amount of time. I love to take pictures and I love to look back at them. One of my favorite things to do is to look back at pictures. I like to do that on the blog too... look back at old entries to remember what I was doing before...see where life has taken me.
In a way looking at the old pictures is sad because I am reminded of friends that I don't get to see very often and I remember friendships that are no longer there for whatever reason. Situations change - that is a part of life - but looking back at all the fun times makes me miss all of the friends and great times I have had. On the other hand, seeing the many "hats" I have worn, experiences I have had, places I have visited and great times I have had in the past four years makes me appreciate all of them and encourages me to be excited for the future, which will surely be filled with many more wonderful moments. I think we all struggle with appreciating and living the moment when we are in it. We take the small things for granted and don't always enjoy what we have now. When I look back, I see how beautiful life really is and although I know I can't go back and live those moments again I am warned to enjoy what I have now and to appreciate the people in my life today. Cherish the memories, enjoy today, and look forward to the future...
In a way looking at the old pictures is sad because I am reminded of friends that I don't get to see very often and I remember friendships that are no longer there for whatever reason. Situations change - that is a part of life - but looking back at all the fun times makes me miss all of the friends and great times I have had. On the other hand, seeing the many "hats" I have worn, experiences I have had, places I have visited and great times I have had in the past four years makes me appreciate all of them and encourages me to be excited for the future, which will surely be filled with many more wonderful moments. I think we all struggle with appreciating and living the moment when we are in it. We take the small things for granted and don't always enjoy what we have now. When I look back, I see how beautiful life really is and although I know I can't go back and live those moments again I am warned to enjoy what I have now and to appreciate the people in my life today. Cherish the memories, enjoy today, and look forward to the future...
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Time to breath, please.
Oh my - I am such a blog slacker. Sorry to those who check regularly for the lack of updates. I am much too busy for my own good these days. I have been working a lot and between that, taking care of Kitty, practicing, and having a little fun in the mix I don't have much time for anything else! I have also been getting a little worn down with the city and the business lately. I long for one of those relaxing days I had last year that included some shopping, sweets, and coffee. I don't see many of those anymore! Seems I either have nothing going on or I am running around like a crazy person.
Speaking of crazy people... I have been thinking lately that I should start posting stories about crazy people I come across in the city. This is really such a unique place that you can see something absolutely bizarre at any given moment. Depending on your mood this could be completely annoying or quite funny. Sometimes things get so ridiculous that when I take a step back I realize how funny they are. One example: the people who, on a totally sardine-like packed train, demand their own personal space. Last week, during morning rush hour, this man (who was actually able to enjoy one of the coveted seats!) started yelling at these two women who were standing (practically) overtop of him. (The trains get VERY crowded in the morning.) Anyway, this gentleman informs the women that they are invading his space and not allowing him to sleep because their newspapers are too close to him. Umm....what kind of princess gets extra space to sleep during rush hour??? The women were intellectual and did not scream back at him, but let him know that his demands were absurd. The kicker for me was when the man told them to move away because "this is America". Now what in the world does America have to do with anything? Besides, I have news for people who think that New York is the definition of America. It's not. If you want your space, move out of the city and buy a car.
Most loony incidents that I could write about happen in the subway. You get all sorts in there. The other half probably happen in my workplace. Maybe I will share some of those on another day. So many crazies...so little time.
Speaking of crazy people... I have been thinking lately that I should start posting stories about crazy people I come across in the city. This is really such a unique place that you can see something absolutely bizarre at any given moment. Depending on your mood this could be completely annoying or quite funny. Sometimes things get so ridiculous that when I take a step back I realize how funny they are. One example: the people who, on a totally sardine-like packed train, demand their own personal space. Last week, during morning rush hour, this man (who was actually able to enjoy one of the coveted seats!) started yelling at these two women who were standing (practically) overtop of him. (The trains get VERY crowded in the morning.) Anyway, this gentleman informs the women that they are invading his space and not allowing him to sleep because their newspapers are too close to him. Umm....what kind of princess gets extra space to sleep during rush hour??? The women were intellectual and did not scream back at him, but let him know that his demands were absurd. The kicker for me was when the man told them to move away because "this is America". Now what in the world does America have to do with anything? Besides, I have news for people who think that New York is the definition of America. It's not. If you want your space, move out of the city and buy a car.
Most loony incidents that I could write about happen in the subway. You get all sorts in there. The other half probably happen in my workplace. Maybe I will share some of those on another day. So many crazies...so little time.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
finding foliage
I love fall and missed it so much when I was living in the south. It just isn't the same down there. I am realizing it just isn't the same in this city either. The first sign of fall was cooler weather, but then it got gloomy and rainy. That's not the fall I am looking for!!! The weather did warm back up and it's been pretty nice the past week or so, but I want COLOR. 
I guess there just aren't enough trees here to give much color. So sad. I remember some really nice colors from last year, but that's what you get from those West Virginia hills. Maybe it is still early? Please tell me that the rest of the country is not colorful and beautiful. Oh well. I searched high and low and was able to find some orange in Brooklyn. It will have to suffice.
I guess there just aren't enough trees here to give much color. So sad. I remember some really nice colors from last year, but that's what you get from those West Virginia hills. Maybe it is still early? Please tell me that the rest of the country is not colorful and beautiful. Oh well. I searched high and low and was able to find some orange in Brooklyn. It will have to suffice.Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
food, glorious food
*sniff sniff*
I am still not feeling well. I would say that about half the people I know in New York also have (or have had) this same cold, so at least I know I will get through it. I think it should be wrapping up tonight and I will feel much better tomorrow.... I hope! With all of the soup, tea, juice, and vitamins I have been taking I don't know how any germ stands a chance in me, but this guy is fighting back pretty hard.
I thought maybe it would help for me to think happy thoughts, so I present you with a collage of happy thoughts: food from Israel.
Right there in the middle I am stuffing my face with falafel while taking a break in Jerusalem Old City. Doesn't get much better than that. Oh wait, it does.... check out that hummus to the right of me. Yummm-y. And the cute latte on the other side? Love it.
On the top row I have a cart of bread and a bunch of nuts for sale at one of the small spice/nut markets. And in the right corner is an Israeli specialty I got in Jaffe (which happens to be the port where Jonah caught a ride...check out Jonah 1:3). We went to this bakery that I HAD TO go to and tried this zatar-spiced toasted bread. This bakery is super famous and you walk up and order outside at a counter. The hummus is also from a super famous, hole-in-the-wall, wait in line for the real thing kind of place in Jaffa.
Moving on... the bottom left picture is from the aformentioned place where we began the meal with 20 different salads. This is a picture of some of the salads before we completely destroyed everything on the table. The place is called El Babour and if you are ever in Israel, I HIGHLY recommend going. I also highly recommend NOT eating the day before. I, on the other hand, ate a HUGE dinner the night before and a breakfast that was "not too shabby." But the food was so amazing and such an experience that I muscled up and took it in. The portions were huge and relatively inexpensive and the chef is basically a celebrity. Love it.
Wow, I get so worked up on each picture I don't think I will ever get through it all. The next is some more fresh fruit growing on the kibbutz. Last, but definitely not least, we have a desert spread of borekas and rugelach - delicious pastries filled with cheeses and chocolates.
Enough talk - time to eat!
I am still not feeling well. I would say that about half the people I know in New York also have (or have had) this same cold, so at least I know I will get through it. I think it should be wrapping up tonight and I will feel much better tomorrow.... I hope! With all of the soup, tea, juice, and vitamins I have been taking I don't know how any germ stands a chance in me, but this guy is fighting back pretty hard.
I thought maybe it would help for me to think happy thoughts, so I present you with a collage of happy thoughts: food from Israel.
Right there in the middle I am stuffing my face with falafel while taking a break in Jerusalem Old City. Doesn't get much better than that. Oh wait, it does.... check out that hummus to the right of me. Yummm-y. And the cute latte on the other side? Love it.
On the top row I have a cart of bread and a bunch of nuts for sale at one of the small spice/nut markets. And in the right corner is an Israeli specialty I got in Jaffe (which happens to be the port where Jonah caught a ride...check out Jonah 1:3). We went to this bakery that I HAD TO go to and tried this zatar-spiced toasted bread. This bakery is super famous and you walk up and order outside at a counter. The hummus is also from a super famous, hole-in-the-wall, wait in line for the real thing kind of place in Jaffa.
Moving on... the bottom left picture is from the aformentioned place where we began the meal with 20 different salads. This is a picture of some of the salads before we completely destroyed everything on the table. The place is called El Babour and if you are ever in Israel, I HIGHLY recommend going. I also highly recommend NOT eating the day before. I, on the other hand, ate a HUGE dinner the night before and a breakfast that was "not too shabby." But the food was so amazing and such an experience that I muscled up and took it in. The portions were huge and relatively inexpensive and the chef is basically a celebrity. Love it.
Wow, I get so worked up on each picture I don't think I will ever get through it all. The next is some more fresh fruit growing on the kibbutz. Last, but definitely not least, we have a desert spread of borekas and rugelach - delicious pastries filled with cheeses and chocolates.
Enough talk - time to eat!
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