Trips of Summers Past

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Today the kids arrive for our yearly summer adventure. Well, they are not kids anymore, they’re teens. We’ve been going on some sort of summer adventure since they were little, whether we lived near them or not.

Here’s a look back at the trips of summers past:

2012 – Kids came to NY then we went to Florida from here. Rented a car and a house in Celebration. Went to WDW, Universal Studios, Downtown Disney, Gator Land, boys went fishing, girls went to Animal Kingdom and Cirque du Soleil La Nouba.

Medieval Time at Kissimmee - August 2012

Medieval Time at Kissimmee – August 2012

2011 – Kids came with Brett’s nephew, Shae and sister, Rhonda. NYC time! Brooke returned home with Auntie and Shae. Bray stayed a few days longer- we took him to Boston for a couple of days, then he and hubs flew to Calgary for fly fishing on the Bow.

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At Rockefeller – July 2011

2010 – Mountain time at sister in law’s in Canmore. Good times with Granny, Auntie, Shae and the four of us. Not to mention, 97 year old Grandma! Activities included time in Banff and Canmore, Sulphur Mountain climb, white water rafting, zip-lining, wall climbing, boys went fishing on the Bow, drive to Lake Louise.

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Rafting on the Kananaskis – 2010. Note: Granny and Grandma are not in the picture!

2009 – Kids came to NYC. Lots of sight seeing and a trip out to Montauk.

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Brooklyn Bridge – July 2009

2008 – Brett and I went back to get the kids and took them to Vancouver. Rented a condo in Yaletown. Went to Granville Island, Stanley Park, Vancouver Aquarium, took a trolley tour, boys went fishing. Bray came back to NY with us. We also took the train down to DC and toured Gettysburg.

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Serious business at the White House – 2008

2007 – Our first full summer after moving away. Alberta/Saskatchewan road trip.  Fishing trip at Lake Mirond in an old fishing cabin with Rhonda, Shae, and Grandpa. No Brooke on this trip.

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Gettin the fish fry ready! July 2007

2006 and summer prior not as fresh in my head.

This year: London! (Insert British accent) We’re going to see the Royal baby, Prince George. Will let you know if we see him!

Mental Medicine

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I woke up yesterday and got right into some of the errand running I had to do – before I went running-running. Usually I go running first, before any to-dos, but yesterday my body just wasn’t ready to move in the early morning.

So on my list of errands – drop off dry cleaning, stop at bank, make some copies of documents, blah, blah, blah… When I completed round one of errands, I thought I would be making an excuse not to run, but as it turned out, I was ready.

My thoughts as I walked were unnecessarily busy of course. I was thinking mostly about the paper work that needed to be completed and the documents I needed to track down.

Once I started to run, I started to relax right away.

En route I did my usual observations of sights, sounds and smells around the park. Play groups, soccer, horses, pedi-cabs, bag pipes, bubbles, the zoo crowd.

When I was about 3/4 done my route, I noticed that my overloaded, boggled mind had become uncluttered. I felt relieved and lighter. My mind felt medicated. I realized that I didn’t even notice when my mind became present. Being present and staying present is tough in a busy place with a busy life, but running does that for me.

I’m telling you, running is mental medicine. I just wish I could bottle that.

New Favorite Color!

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What’s my new favorite color?

Green!

Why? Because it’s the color of my permanent resident card I’ll be getting from immigration in the next couple of months! The wait is almost over!!

The confusion then excitement I felt when I read the email from my immigration lawyer was intense! I was walking home from a Grand Central after a day at a literacy curriculum workshop when I read the email.

I just wanted to laugh out loud as I was walking! So I did! I was so excited! I tried to call hubs to share the news. No answer! My text to him: Call me!!!!! So I text Monica and Lana in my bewilderment! I had to share my confusion/excitement/bewilderment … I thought there was a mistake in the email.

My lawyer notified those of us in the green card process there would be no more advancement in the process until October, and it would be slow progress until the spring of 2014… But – unexpectedly, a huge advancement! Thank you USCIS!

After 7 years of visas and being tied to the DOE via sponsorship, I am almost free to do as I please!

Now to get the paper work together….

Speaking Eloquently

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Jibber jabber.

It comes out of a lot of people’s mouths. A lot of words that mean nothing or few words that mean a whole lot. Words, words, words. Just to hear one’s own voice or to say something worth saying. I would prefer to be the latter in both of these statements, but that’s not always the case.

For years I’ve wanted to increase my vocabulary so that the words that come out of my mouth would be more enjoyable to listen to… more informative… stimulating! But of course not always, that would be too intense.

I also want to able know what all the words mean when I read. Come on, I’m not the only who doesn’t know the meanings to some words when I read, am I?

I want to sound more intelligent. Granted it would be counterproductive if I used language that no one could understand, but I would love to be one of those people who has a way with words.

Funny that I’m not writing this because I went to a literacy curriculum workshop today, or because I learned about the percentages of rare words in texts – I’m writing it because I was inspired when listening to a potential new hire at school yesterday. Weird, right? Not really. I was so encapsulated by the eloquence of this guy’s way of speaking that I wanted him to keep talking and sharing his experiences. His speech and writing motivated me to improve my own skills AND I think he will be able to help me out with my upcoming project…

So I think I’ll sign up for Word of the Day or something nerdy like that, because I like that kind of nerdy stuff! It’ll make me smarter!

Summer Streets Etiquette

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For the past 6 Augusts, Mayor Bloomberg has dedicated 7 miles of Park Avenue – from 72nd Street all the way down to Brooklyn Bridge for Summer Streets, on three consecutive Saturdays.

Fab idea! I love it! Runners, walkers, bikers, and bladers can enjoy the car-free zone from 7am-1pm on those Saturdays.

This year, with the new CitiBike system (kudos to the DOT/citibank for that), getting a bike was far easier so hubs and I decided to bike down from our ‘hood to Brooklyn Bridge. Last Saturday was really pleasant because it was a little rainy so the street was pretty open.

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Biking downtown

Yesterday was a different story. Because of the perfect weather provided by Mother Nature, the streets were far busier. And of course they should have been, people are out enjoying this glorious event!

Along the route there are signs to alert you to rest stops, activity stops and this year a voice activated pop-up art installation in the tunnel just south of Grand Central.

There are also many signs to show that pedestrians should walk or run on the right and bikers should bike on the left. Makes sense right? Well, not to everyone…. so here is some etiquette for Summer Streets. Again, common sense – not so common…

To enjoy Summer Streets, or any public event like festivals, parades, etc, please follow this simple etiquette (although I know this really doesn’t apply to you – it’s more of a vent with a positive tone haha!):

  • follow the rules of the road! You are not the only person there.
  • pay attention to your surroundings, you are not the only person there
  • watch out for others, you are not the only person there
  • if you are biking and need to pass, look behind you before darting out, you are not the only person there
  • clean up after yourself, there are garbage cans everywhere
  • use your bell, you are not the only person there
  • teach your kids the rules of the road before you head out to the streets, your family is not the only one there
  • give people their personal space whether running or biking, you are not the only person there
  • have fun 🙂

I know I live in a place where there are tons and tons of people, but just think a little. That’s all I ask 🙂

Minus the few people who did annoy me, we still had a good ride! If you haven’t been out to enjoy it yet, you should!

Saw and heard this fancy music wagon both times!

Saw and heard this fancy music wagon both times!

Mind Mumbo-Jumbo

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Is that like gumbo? Um, no.

It’s the mish-mash of craziness going on in my mind. You know the feeling I’m sure.

This week was filled with experiences I didn’t know I would have basically until they were happening… Participating in conference calls with prominent members of the education community, writing an Op-Ed article for the Daily News, and then appearing in segment on Good Day NY.

In addition to these career-related events, I did have time for fun at the beach, yoga, The Met, the movies. Each of these events is really a post of their own, but my mind cannot decide which to focus on, and that’s ok so I’ll just leave the list of events for now while my brain settles and refocuses. I’ve literally started writing three different posts and have trashed them all because my mind is not wanting to organize any of the information in a sensical fashion. So… what’s on your mind?

Half-Assed Runner

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Yes! I am a half-assed runner! I have NO problem admitting it! I have no problem not really wanting to improve my time or change routes too much. I’m fine with taking it a bit slower if I want to run longer… if I can mentally make myself that is…

Is that bad? Should I want to run a 9:00 minute/mile rather than a 9:30-9:45min/mile? Should I be more competitive? How much do I push myself? Don’t worry, I already know the answers. But I want to hear yours too.

Well, I’m not completely half-assed I guess. I do have a purpose for running:

  • it’s my thinking time, when I let ideas fly through my head
  • to strengthen my legs and eventually will make them look awesome… still waiting
  • I like the running community
  • it allows me to experience new places and people

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And some goals:

  • to run for endurance rather than speed (most of the time)
  • to only sometimes try to beat my own time, like maybe in a 5k
  • to run at least 2 half marathons a year at new venues
  • to push myself to run farther even if my day’s route is complete (mental push there, not physical!)
  • to run more in the winter, yes I tend to be a fair-weather runner….
  • keep having fun just running for the fun of it

What kind of runner are you? Regardless, keep running!

The Power of Kindness

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Never underestimate the power of being kind to someone, especially someone you don’t know.

I found myself getting a little annoyed at people as I was shopping at the grocery store today. When I start feeling that fire in my belly, I try to think of something positive.

While I didn’t have an opportunity to perform a random act of kindness today, besides hold a door for someone, here is a list of some things I have done for strangers:

  • Bought someone a coffee (I’ve done this many, many times back home – especially in the Tim Horton’s drive thru!)
  • Bought a homeless person food
  • Made someone laugh randomly
  • Offered a seat on the bus/subway
  • Signed a petition for a cause someone else believes in
  • Opened many doors
  • Indirect acts of kindness – sponsoring children in third world countries, purchasing items that support charities like FEED USA + Target
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On the Target website

In February a week is dedicated to Random Acts of Kindness, but really it should be every day.

For ideas about spreading kindness, click the link 🙂

❤ Be kind to each other ❤

Interesting…

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Did you see, hear or do anything amusing or intriguing today?

Something that made you laugh?

Shake your head?

Make you feel stunned?

Let’s see….. I saw an attractive lady wearing a very patriotic monokini.

I saw a woman cab driver!

I heard toddlers screaming on the LIRR….

I walked on the new boardwalk at Long Beach, Long Island. 🙂

The new boardwalk at Long Beach. Just reopened!

The new boardwalk at Long Beach. Just reopened!

I examined sand and thought how amazing it was.

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Weathering is an amazing process!

I was in disbelief that I was in an area that was washed away in a hurricane (see CitiBiking post and watch the video link).

Old boardwalk, damaged from the storm.

Old boardwalk, damaged from the storm.

I watched many, many, many aircraft fly over the beach.

I saw a townhouse with a bright blue door.

Keep your eyes peeled, you never know what you’ll see.