“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Well, I made it.
And, I actually had a pretty good Holiday Season. I am grateful.
My New Year’s week began by meeting my Library
Friend at Rolf’s as she walks by there all
the time and had never been. We saw, and
left, as it was a zoo. We enjoyed a
glass of wine across the street before heading to The Stand, a comedy club on 3rd
(22-23 Streets) . It’s free with no
drink minimum on Monday nights for the 10pm show. It was enjoyable, if not awesome. Couldn’t beat the price, and it was nice to hang
out.
New Year’s Eve has never been a big deal as far
as “celebrating”. Oh, in my first adult
life as the young Office’s Wife, we had the whole squadron to Rookery Park. It’s that brunch casserole that became a
Christmas tradition. Actually this year
was the first Christmas I have not made that.
Many New Year’s Eves were spent in front of a fire in Vermont. And, in recent years, I actually volunteered
at First Night in Boston. So, I don’t
get excited, one way or another, for that night. (Last year I conquered that first, being
alone, on New Year’s Eve..) This year, I had a lovely one sharing dinner with
my Philosophy Friend and her Family. Not wanting to outstay my welcome, I
headed down the street towards home at around 11, and poked into Sojourn. It was Tuesday, but no music. I wished my regulars and favorite bartender a
Happy New Year and walked up to Central Park.
I got to there just in time for the Midnight
Fireworks and the 34th Emerald Nuts Midnight Run. There were thousands of “nuts” running around
the Park! Many dressed up, many
families, all celebrating the New Year with New
York Road Runners’ who also sponsor the New York Marathon. The mission of NYRR is to “help and inspire
people through running”. I’m actually
thinking of taking one of their courses.
A wonderful way to the start the year, I love fireworks, and I was
certainly not alone!
New Year’s Day was
quite perfect and relaxing. I spent it
at the Jewish Community Center right
across town on the West side. I spent 3
hours doing Melt exercises; for the neck, hip, knees; for the arms and shoulder; and Melted yoga. “What is MELT? The MELT Method® is a breakthrough
self-treatment system that restores the supportiveness of the body's connective
tissue to eliminate chronic pain, improve performance, and decrease the
accumulated stress caused by repetitive postures and movements of everyday
living. This patent-pending, pro-active self-treatment technique is backed by
science and acclaimed by thousands of devoted MELTers.” Loved it. Then an hour was spent with a coach planning
a great 2014 which was just okay. Ended
the day with an hour and half of restorative yoga. My NYC Friend joined me for the final class
and we had a lovely cup of cappuccino following it. Wonderful way to start my new year!
My Women’s Writing Group started the year off with a
bang by meeting on January 2. Fourteen
wonderful Ladies met, and a cute as a button High School Lady joined us half
way through. She taught me how to do
these hyperlinks. (I was not surrounded
by gentle “love” when I shared my draft of my Christmas blog piece, but very
constructive criticism. But, you know
what? That’s ok. For maybe the first
time my defenses didn’t come to the surface and I thanked everyone. I still wrote the way I want, and got
tremendous response when it was posted.
Thank you!) It’s a great group, although there can be a
pia in everything, and she joined some in the group, as always, for light dinner after the meeting at
Le
Pain Quotidien. It was lovely, except
for the drama and trauma created by our resident pia, thus giving credence to
the fact that Ladies who dine are a nightmare.
I spoke to the manager and waiter, and hopefully cleared our reputation.
Friday evening was a sad, somber one. One of my new close Friend’s Father died on
Christmas evening, after having dinner with his beloved family. I went down to Chinatown to attend the wake
and service. What I learned was
much. I learned where my wonderful
Friend got his love of food. It was an
honor, and privilege, to understand what a wonderful Man he was, and the Family
he left behind loved him dearly. I love
learning about different cultures and its customs. At a Chinese wake, the Family distributes red
envelopes (red symbolizes good luck) with a candy to be eaten that day before
going home and a coin to ensure you return home safely. I have saved the envelope.
The hibernation began. First the snow then the cold made me want
to just stay inside. I did drag myself
out in the rain, and thankfully not too cold, to deliver food again with the Coalition
for the Homeless on Sunday night. This
time I spent the evening with a wonderful Lady and two great men serving Lower
Manhattan. The crowds were much
thinner. Still hibernating as well, I
guess.
Monday as I walked into 11 Penn Plaza across from
Madison Square Garden, I was there
to work in the lower basement sorting coats for the NY
Cares’ coat drive. OMG, had no idea what a work out that would
turn into! (I had to bail on my Library Friend who had offered to treat me to a
spinning class she teaches at, another time.)
Once again, I worked with fascinating Ladies, who proved, we
all have a story. After recovering,
since it was Monday night, that’s right, across to Sojourn I went for my music!
No comments:
Post a Comment