City of Brotherly Love

It was going to be the height of romance. Me + New York City = love forever. My crush was in full force; I mean, I had just watched the Sex in the City movie (okay, twice). We had an exciting first date a few years back, but this time I knew the magic was really going to happen. Tagging along with a girl I work with, I was enthusiastic to get my New York on. I probably didn't give enough consideration to the fact that we were staying in a studio with 3 other people, because I really want to be low maintenance like that. Fact is, people, I'm just not. It's not about space as much as it's about quiet time. But, I did stay one night in the Chinatown studio, and I'm proud for being a little bit flexible, especially because then I would get to see all of New York for super cheap.

Then I met Philadelphia.

True love.

I rode the train down from NYC to stay for a couple of days with my friend Candice in NJ (close by). The idea was to catch up with Candice and then head back to NY for the rest of the trip. I decided to check out Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love.

There was some chemistry there. I decided to spend the night. And another night. And another night. It has been me and me alone exploring what I think might be my new favorite city. I love the dinner cruise I took, that people walk around in Colonial clothes. I love the old-world charm (well, for the new world), how there are bicycle trails all over, the old boats, the pier, balmy summer weather, narrow brick roads, Rittenhouse Square, that there are a bazillion giant, old trees.. I love it in a political way, too. Reading the plaque by the Liberty Bell really moved me because the idea of liberty for ALL carries such meaning today. (Not to claim national symbols for my lefty ways, but you know, the righties did it with Christianity.)


What sealed the deal is that the downtown has the charm of NYC, tons of eclectic people that are actually sort of nice, AND it is ALL within WALKING distance. A long walk, but a walk. A total pedestrian-friendly city with little signs everywhere that show you where you are and all the places you could walk in 10 minutes. I love that. I hope that over time, Dallas can learn a thing or two from Philadelphia. Yes, there are some pretty to-the-core differences, but Dallas is making some progress with this. I think we can become a people friendly urban area. :)

This vacation has further solidified that 90% of people might not want to vacation with me. I like to go places with people, but I need so much alone time to really thrive. Constant time in conversation really leaves me needing to recharge. I used to think that indulging that side made me a baby, but I've realized, especially through this trip that it is just me.

I relish long meals alone in charming restaurants. I love to lay down on city benches and stare up through trees. Sitting in little coffee shops and smiling at people's dogs. Not huge on the sights, but I like to check out what speaks to me. Mostly, I like to just soak up the feel of a place.


Tomorrow I get back on the train to New York to catch my plane out of Laguardia. Plane leaves at 9:30. Not sure whether to catch a sight or so in NY or go to this place in Phill that apparently serves Oprah's favorite mac and cheese. Always the classy girl, I think I might choose the greasy comfort food. I really miss B, so I'm ready to go home.

And (since we don't have tv at our home), I'm watching t.v. right now. Wow. I see why people are getting stupider. Has mtv not gone down hill even more since I was 14? I am actually stupider. And the worst part is, I'm still watching. And on the flip side, I am noticing they are including gay couples in their little dating shows regularly. That is SO Liberty Bell.

now

So...

I was just at the house, as we're getting the inspection right now. So far, everything is solid, especially for a house built in the 30's.

I met my across-the-street neighbor, another teacher at another arts magnet (but the high school one, which is where Norah Jones went). He mentioned that he often made dinner for the prior owner of our house (noted!). He also said that the hood is a great group of people with an active home owner's association, which is trying to get some small spring-fed "lakes" back in the community. He said that there is actually a waterfall (well, over a dam. Not an Ansel Adams situation...but still!) that is right in our back yard once the water rises some! To be honest, the more we are there, the more I notice I love about it. It is the sanctuary I've been looking for.

And, I feel a little mushy about how I got here. Once again, a testament to letting go a little, accepting and loving wherever I am *now* and following my bliss. Mia, you totally had a part in this. Isn't it strange how much these weird little blogging friendships can end up changing our thinking and effecting our lives? When I was whining about no nature in Dallas, Mia said, (with great tact!) "bloom where you are planted." So, I did. We knew we wanted a greater sense of community, maybe a little more progressive-minded, diversity...so we started looking at houses. From there, we fell into this house, which we cannot believe they are selling to us for a price we can afford.

Inspired by Lori, I've decided I need a "me room," for uninterrupted meditation, introspection, etc. I thought it was going to be easy, as the garage is already partially converted: Make a little room. Done. The thing is, apparently, for a garage conversion to really matter for home value, you need to extend the foundation. So, not quite as easy as slapping up some dry wall. When I was sitting in stillness for a bit today, I remembered that I've always been inspired by little outdoor prayer chapels...So, there's an idea, and a pretty feasible one, I think. A little room, built outside with some good views, the size of a big closet just long enough for yoga movements, with electricity (in case I want to write) and nature all around, where I can be still and in total solitude. There is a part of me that feels guilty for wanting a room just for me, but I guess people just have different needs. Maybe it's because I grew up being alone a lot. My mom worked the night shift a lot, and even though we lived in an old trailer, it was on all this land. I enjoyed that solitude so much. I didn't feel lonely anymore when I was outside with my little dog, laying in grass. I miss that. I am never alone in nature, and I've realized that I will be deeply sad if my kids don't get to have a similar experience: Not a lot of stuff, but a lot of nature. Like anyone else, I lose my footing in life sometimes...but I'm so happy I know a place where I can find it again.

And deeply grateful that something so inspiring is probably going to be right in my back yard. More pictures coming.

offer accepted!

Holy cow! I guess I'm a real grown up, now! As long as there are no secrets we don't know about, we move to a *fabulous* place in a month!!! A month!

breathe

Riley at the top of the stairs. This is one of this guerilla warfare moves against Sam; the other day, finally fell through after several close calls in which B and I looked up to see him hanging.

Ayruveda update: I'm doing...okay. Meditating more, although serious drop off with this whole house thing. Oh, and since the house hunt, I haven't exercised a lick, and have been eating crap only. Purely crap, and not just regular crap but emotionally eaten crap. So we are talking about ice cream, salt and vinegar chips, an occassional pizza...Slipped into major unconsciousness with my eating choices. Not pretty, people.

So, today I'm resetting my "agni." (digestive fire) I'm doing a liquids fast, which is good for the soul because you get to see all the a-hole thoughts you have when you don't get to soothe them by feeding your face...and they do come, but then they go, and I have a feeling is is more cleansing mentally than being less aware that those thoughts are in the back of your mind. So far, I'm doing well and am still amicable, but 4 o'clock-ish is my usual struggle time for this. I wouldn't call. :)

I'm embarassed to tell ayurveda doc that I've barely been doing the very basic things he suggested. I mean, I've made efforts, but, well... You know. On the positive side, OVERALL since I've seen him: I'm eating food that is more fresh (more prana, or life force), more balanced meals overall, been taking triphala (the India wonder-tonic), and have thought about exercise more (hmm?). Oooh, I know. I started a gratitude journal; that's huge.

House update: Put in the offer. Hopefully, when we talk to our realtor in an hour or so, we'll at least have some little tiny bit of information. I'm a little concerned, because I know someone else was interested, and our realtor said she'd give the seller's realtor a heads-up there was a full-price offer coming. I hope she was able to reach him. You never know. I keep saying, follow your bliss, then hold on as your faith in that ideal is challenged...the point isn't instant gratification, it's in the holding on.

Miriam update: Yes, I still want it! Me! Pick me! Actually, I responded to your comment (you know how they come to you in email), and I kind of thought it might not actually work (and now we know), but I got destracted and never checked. Sorry.

ohhhhhhhhmyyyyyyygaaaaahhhhd

Word is, someone else wants the house. (Which my dad is convinced is fancy real-estate industry trickery.) But anyways, we are leaving in 15 minutes to put in our offer. It may already be too late, if the others beat us to it. We just have to remember that when we follow our bliss, life might test our faith...just keep following, roll with it, let go of the outcome....

breathe.

really, breathe!

check you later.

big & little decisions

Big decision: Tonight, we are putting in (hoping to put in. Waiting for all paper work to come through.) an offer on a house we fell in love with. It's perfect for us. When Joseph Campbell said, "follow your bliss," he was talking about us living in this house. Here is a view from the back yard. Holy crap, I know. Idyllic.
And another. It's a creek lot, just covered in trees. The creek is down an almost mini-ravine (don't worry, there's a fence! Preston and Sam won't be forging any rivers). It's great now, but makes you think of so many great possibilities in the future, too, like carving out a stone pathway from the house, down to the creek...a big deck that juts out over the creek (you know, the kind with the giant stilts and maybe even a hot tub??). Seriously, if we get this house, we'll freak. And hopefully we will get it, because we're planning to put in a full price offer, or close to it. It's just a few miles from downtown, a few miles from work, 1 mile to an arts district. 1 mile to the train, 1 mile to the zoo!! Fun!
If we get to move into nature house, I'm sure I'll have more of an opportunity to use my new (relatively) birding book! Not just some birds, people. ALL birds. I'm getting increasingly nerdy as the years go on. Small decision: pink.

ghetto bohemian birds, flowers, child life

I've mentioned that we've been house hunting. We have driven ALL over, trying to be more open minded versions of our actual selves. Guess what: it worked in a big, bad ol' way! Our new favorite local is North Oak Cliff. My teaching partner (soon to be) is in the process of buying there, and she opened our eyes to one of the best areas in all of Dallas-Fort Worth. They do things differently in the Cliff, more funky-like. That's the way we like it. Way cooler than me, to be honest. As you can see, even the birds have a style of their own. Anyways, learning about North Oak Cliff is exciting, because I only learned about all of the most fabulous parts of it after I started reflecting on the fact that we make our happy whereever we are, bloom where planted, yada, yada. AND, as if I'm not already happy with my proximity to work (5 mi), I'll be even closer! Wanna be my new neighbor? Check it out: www.cliffdwellermagazine.com OR www.bishopartsdistrict.com
Hydrangeas. Next best choice after I found out lillies could kill my cat (sorry Riley, I didn't know). p.s. Riley didn't ever actually eat the lilliess, but he did play it fast and loose, batting them around on a few occassions.
I miss my kids. I wish I could show you pictures of them; they are so full of life and each wonderful! Either teaching is THE best profession for me, or I am seriously still honeymooning. I cannot wait to get a whole new batch in a month! I know. Annoyingly excited. Barf. In spite of my enthusiasm, *H*, if you are reading this, I have been really thinking about going into child life at some point (I know I have been telling this to you for about 6 years now, but it has always been true!). I'm thinking of doing an internship next summer and a little volunteering in the near future. If you don't know what child life is, go to: http://www.mdanderson.org/topics/kids/display.cfm?id=1ac80c36-5a75-4c9e-bf278a114fa26830&method=displayfull (Sorry for the necessary cut and paste. As fabulous as Mac's are, they are not so good with some blogger formatting things, so you'll have to do to your own link. It IS a good article. Go!)