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Quick visit to NYC

First of all, let me start by saying that it’s been way too long since I’ve taken the time to sit down and write… again. The past five months have been absolutely crazy — between family and friends, new jobs and new offices, travel and some health issues, I’m just finally slowing down enough to catch my breath. And to finally take some time to re-work and re-launch this blog.

This week, I found myself in New York City for part of the 59th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations. The event brings together representatives from Member States, UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations from around the world. This year’s event focused on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, addressing progress that’s been made since its implementation 20 years ago, and challenges that still affect gender equality and the empowerment of women. While the full Commission runs for two weeks, my schedule only allowed for me to attend for three days, but having the opportunity to meet women from around the world and discuss issues of gender equality, sexual violence and other major issues that women face was truly inspiring… and incredibly humbling.

While the primary focus of my trip was on the Commission, it’s impossible to make a trip to New York City and not find some time to enjoy and explore. On the first day of my trip, we were blessed with amazing weather and an afternon of sunshine, so I carved out a few hours and spent some time in the village (which may be my favorite part of the city, at this point). While wandering Bleecker Street, I found my way to Carre d’artiste, an amazing little gallery that offers a collection of contemporary art. I was immediately captivated by two artists — Tony Blomme, a Belgian artist who creates beautiful depictions of everyday life in NYC with watercolors, and Daniel Castan, a French painter who creates multi-textured pieces that capture the urban landscape of the city. I could have easily picked up several pieces yesterday, but managed to restrain myself (and save my bank account, at least for the time being).

After getting a little lost in art in the gallery, I wandered down Carmine Street to another favorite spot of mine, House of Oldies Rare Records. This place is SO fun! The owner, Bob, is an absolute gem. He’s run the place since the late 1960’s and today carries more than 1,000,000 records (what a DREAM!). I stumbled into this place a few visits back and make it a point to stop in each time I’m in the city. It’s a really tiny space, but I could easily spend an afternoon digging through crates of old records and chatting with Bob about the store’s history, his music knowledge and baseball (even though he’s a Yankee fan).

After more window shopping and a stop for coffee, I swung through Washington Square Park on my way back uptown. There was filming going on for something — sadly, I couldn’t get close enough to see what — and where was quite a crowd of people gathered to see what was going on. While I couldn’t necessarily see what was happening in front of the cameras, it was still a perfect afternoon to grab a bench and just enjoy my coffee in the sunshine.

A few other NYC favorites include:

1. Don Antonio’s Pizza in the Theatre District (try the Marinara Starita or the Margherita for dinner and the Bella Mora to drink)

2. Cibo in Murray Hill. Try the swordfish for dinner, and be sure to save room for dessert!

3. Aroma Espresso Bar in Midtown. Cool spot, great coffee and reasonable prices.

4. Docks Oyster Bar in Midtown. Amazing happy hour, fun bartenders and a really great atmosphere.

What are some of your favorite places in the city?

Time to shake it up.

It’s been too long since I’ve curled up with my laptop and ANY sort of desire to write. It’s been a whirlwind year — a year of two job changes, incredible love and some big life changes and lots of travel (for work and for fun).

It’s also been a year of discovery, frustration and creative roadblocks.

Since my last post, I’ve changed roles in my new job twice. I’m now responsible for communications strategy, development and implementation of programs and initiatives that support racial ethnic and new immigrant faith communities across the denomination that I work for. It’s amazing, and I’m blessed and grateful every day for the kind, brilliant and creative people that I work with. Yet, somehow, in the midst of these brilliant minds and creative souls, I’ve somehow found my own creative energy almost completely stifled. Over the past several months, I’ve battled with no one but myself to learn and grow in this new role.

Since my last post, I’ve also met the love of my life. Frankly, after the years of headache and heartache that I took to find him, a sabbatical from blogging to spend time with this handsome man with a wonderful, incredible soul and overwhelmingly kind heart was most certainly needed. He’s opened my eyes and my heart to love, and made me happier than I could have ever imagined. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for the two of us.

As another year winds down and J and I find our new rhythm together, it’s time for me to get back to writing. It’s time to think about taking this blog (and my writing in general) in a new direction, and sharing thoughts, ideas and lessons learned along the way.

Good things are coming. I sure hope you’ll stay tuned.

Home.

I recently spent a week back at my parents place in Michigan for the Thanksgiving holiday. As I drove my over-packed little SUV into the sleepy town that I called home for so many years, I couldn’t help but be overcome with feelings of deep love and nostalgia… and unfamiliarity all at once. It’s strange, this quiet little town. Nothing ever seems to change, but each time I pull off of US-10, I can’t help but feel more like everything has, and that I’m no more than a guest in this town than someone who called this place home for nearly my entire life.

I knew this was inevitable, and I’m sure it’s something that’s been progressing for the many years that I’ve now lived away from my parents and the home that I grew up in. But this particular trip, it seemed that this thing — this feeling — had transitioned from something I knew would eventually happen to something that already had.

Maybe this transition that came to light in the middle of my cozy visit to my favorite little city by the bay because for the first time in I’m not even sure how many years, I feel like I’m starting to put roots down somewhere else… and entirely on my own. It’s a strange, and absolutely wonderful feeling at the same time.

The sleepy little town where many of those closest to my heart still reside will always hold a special place in my heart… I’m just not certain that I can call it “home” for much longer. The jury is still out on exactly how I feel about that.