Celosia

I keep apologizing for these long absent pauses. Although, I am sure you can understand... I'm busy. Today's my last day of work and my mind has been a whirlwind of details and "have to's" as I prepare to leave my Apartment and my life as I know it.. to go to Africa. 

Everyone keeps asking me how I feel.. how I am doing in the middle of all this change. Am I excited? It seems I haven't had a moment to think about what is to become of my life since I made the decision to pick up and go. I am so inundated with all the details, the finishing touches, and the emotional strain of transition, that I just can't wait to be sitting on the plane with it all behind me and finally looking to the future... the quite recent, starting now type of future. 

I am ready, I am nervous, I am sober and thoughtful of the risks I will be taking, I am anticipating good things and sure I will be stretched, challenged and thrown completely out of my element and I couldn't be happier about it. I am sad to leave my neighbors and say goodbye to my coworkers, my roommates my loved ones. Yes, I'll be back in four months but even then, everything will be different. I realize that. 

SO here we go. 

One more week  full of packing, goodbyes, and all the rest. 

I will miss you New York... but I will be back. 

P.S. According to Sarah from Saipua, Celosia (which belongs in the amaranth family and pictured above) is quite edible and grows across Central and West Africa, and is one of the leading leafy green vegetables in Nigeria, where it is known as ‘soko yokoto’, meaning "make husbands fat and happy." I like that!

NYC surf

J. Sturman and I decided that we'd one day own a little bungalow in FarRockaway

with a weekend home in the city. A reverse commute, waves, fish tacos, a little bit of Ghetto; perhaps a Soho loft, luxury, fashion and great food. Just a dream, but not too far out of reach. 

Some of my favorites from the weekend

What happens when you take 30 New York City Kids to the suburbs...

...then bring them back to the city for the finally...

a whole lot of something amazing. 

this is what we call community. 

Happy 4th of July 2010!!!!

For more photos friend my on facebook and go here.

Tickets and Weekend Photos Part One

I bought my TICKET!!!!

I am seriously on my way. 

My poor coworkers had to humor me as I bounced around the office so nervous and excited about actually purchasing my tickets to AFRICA.. and tickets in Africa! 

By far the largest purchase of my life thus far. 

I am so exciting and buzzing with the reality that I am really GOING TO AFRICA! 

Jesus is Lord!

Now for the LOOOOONG awaited weekend pictures. 

As I mentioned before... Eat, Pray, Love does not come out until August 16th. So Jean Michelle and I saw Coco and Igor instead. After, we took a gorgeously warm walk through our city and central park.. ending up on the fountain of Lincoln Center (pictures to come). This is the second weekend this month that I have ended up on this fountain counting down the hours to midnight. Such a beautiful city I live in. 

Weekend photos

My weekend proved to be fantastic. 

I am at home in Manhattan with so many people that I have come to love. 

Living here five plus years has given history and this weekend I was able to take some time going back to my old stomping grounds down town. Living on Lafayette street when I first moved here,  

Greenwich village, the Lower East Side, Little Italy and China town were my common places.

It was a delight going back to China town with my girls and tragic to see that all of our favorite places have changed or gone out of business. We took full responsibility realizing that it has been quite a while since we've been back. Who knew our patronage was keeping them afloat! Walking through Washington Square park and through the East Village to get to a party proved to be a delight as well. Celebrating the Wasko's 10th wedding anniversary in a quaint community garden was such a treat. 

The weekend was too short, but much loved. 

Goodbye for the weekend, My Lovelies...

Good morning.. eeerrr afternoon!

It's been a long week and the last couple nights have been LATE! 

 I am feeling the pain from my workout earlier this week, exhausted from one too many late nights and sooooo ready for the weekend! 

Tonight I am greatly looking forward to spending some quality time with a group of ladies I rarely get to see, started off by some of the best Chinese food in town (our hidden treasure)! Tomorrow starts off a brunch  with one of my nearest and dearest, later to be followed by a fabulous 10th Anniversary party I am greatly looking forward to. A leisurely sunday will start slowly with a picnic in the park and ending off with my lovely church family, TGC. 

I hope yours deems equally as full and serene as mine! 

I will leave you with this music video recently put out by two of my favorite boys.. err men on the planet! They are like brothers to me. Andreas (lead singer) and Kristen (lead actor) are the brothers of my closest Friend Camilla. The Bevan family has been like my own for several years now. I spent a week on the southern coast of Norway with them last summer and am still living off the glorious music we created on that trip! 

Love you, Bevans!!! 

Check out  The Falcons

home.. goodbye

Through the muck and mire of uncertain plans, It was made clear to me today that I am NOT to be in Africa come this July...

My roommates and I were informed that we will need to leave our home by the end of July. 

I will now be staying another month to tie up loose ends and pack all my things away in storage... somewhere. I will now be going to Africa without a home to return to. 

Home is an interesting concept that has changed its formula time and time again. 

This below is my home. The first home that has felt like mine. 

Now, I will leave it for another land and return to start from scratch. 

111 Manhattan, I will miss you dearly and sincerely. 

Wondrous Weekend

The weekend graced me with Brooklyn calling me back and greeting me with gorgeous brunching girls, family food festivals, promenade walks at sunset and days spent in bed. 

Thank you, Jesus for a glorious ham egg and cheese croissant for under $6.00.. 

gotta love Brooklyn Brunches.

The Lebanese Festival is a tradition every year. I visit lovely Joy and Ian at their gorgeous apartment in Brooklyn Heights and we go together. This year I brought my dear Ashley along and we had such a wonderful time! 

For those of you who don't know, I am Lebanese and felt so strangely at home with my people. The food was such a comfort to me and the oddly familiarity was warming to my soul. 

Maybe next year, you can join us. 

info here

Dear adorable, goofy guy that took this picture, 

I know you thought we were a tourist family from England, but we are not. We actually are not related and Joy and Ian have New Zealand Accents.. not English. But, thanks for being chatty and hysterical. Maybe we will see you again next year!

The Brooklyn Promenade was breathtaking as the sun went down. 

Yesterday, I spent the day in bed, resting, letting the warm breeze relax me.. watching the second half of Jane Eyre (EXQUISITE!) and then reading the last several chapters of the book and swooning all day. A lovely, relaxing sabbath.. exactly what I needed to start my week.