Food for thought.

So, here's something that's been at the forefront of my mind over the last couple of days. Evaluation: Assessing where you are, what you want and where you would like to be. It's good to check in with yourself every once and awhile. I've just finished up a project that required much of my time and energy for the last month. Today, I took a breath and it felt great! Before the weekend began though, I couldn't help but recognize some cues around me that led me to this thinking.

One of my colleagues at work shared a documentary with us called Lemonade, directed by Marc Colucci. While some of it's content is pretty heavy, it's inspiring too to see people discover what they love and make a career out of it!

http://www.wikio.com/video/lemonade-trailer-1506137

After work on Friday, I went over to my friend Kate's house. She's decided to start up a business. She has always loved candy. So, she is going to make it and sell it. The first items up for grabs are these delicious looking and tasting gourmet marshmellows! Cinnamon, Almond, Vanilla, Chocolate...so many flavors! I think I had six of them at her open house. I am really excited to see her business grow! She's a great person with lots of drive and an undeniable sweet tooth. Congrats Kate, for taking the first steps. What an adventure! Oh, and you can order them here:

http://www.candykates.com/index.html

While I was online this evening, I ran into this: "Don't ever be really good at something you don't really want to do."

It's such a common sentiment but, I'm glad I read it tonight. It makes you think about what you're doing with your time. You do have a choice after all. It's good to get reacquainted with that truth every once and awhile.

From: Me, To: Me

I'm a keeper!

"Room 525 doesn't look like it exists...but, it's there!"

I arrived in NYC late on Sunday night. After lots and lots and lots of prep, we finally met yesterday for one last day of prep before our shoot began today. After our pre production meeting was complete, a couple of us went out for dinner at Bond Street Sushi. Pretty tasty! I really wish there were hot towels at the beginning of every meal-so soothing. Our favorite dish was the big-eye Tuna Tart topped with micro shiso and white truffle oil. They come on a thin cracker type thing made by pressing wonton wrappers together through a pasta maker and searing them. It was the perfect amount of crisp!

When I woke up this morning, I felt like 6:30am came too soon. I was tired! Off to the shoot I went. Things went really smoothly overall despite the one model who got stuck in traffic and arrived almost an hour late. We wrapped things up on time and I headed out to meet my lovely friend Alex for some dinner. Dinner tasted good but, the service was flat. Thanks goodness the company was 5 STAR! Ew. After dinner, we made a few attempts to go shoe shopping but, alas (and probably for the best) the store we wanted to visit was closed. So, we walked and talked about the days events including: spying on Diane Von Furstenburg, lost mail...found by an unknown neighbor, NYC thieves (successfully) scamming for cash and creepy professional acquaintances. Be safe out there!

Brisket @ Bannisters!

Last night, Allison Bannister and her BF Max hosted a lovely little dinner party for a few friends. We all arrived right around 5:30 and immediately started to snack on smoked trout, salami, cheeses and bread. I was full before dinner was served! But, wait. There's more. Max cooks so, you really want to arrive with an empty stomach. Last night, beef brisket-brined for 10 days-was on the menu! The meat was so tender and flavorful. Max served up the brisket with cabbage, carrots and homemade soda bread. Mmm!

Great friends, fun conversation, a mini dance party (complete with, "the elevator") French card games and lots of laughs-what more could you ask for on a Saturday night? Thanks again AB and Max!

Impromptu celebratory drinks:

Mille Bornes (attempt): Doesn't work so well with 6 individual players.

Roulez!

Head UP!

I hate it when I wish days away. I need to stop that! Time is precious. Regardless of how grueling the coming days may seem, I know I'll get something out of the experience-even if it's the tiniest of lessons. So, head up! Appreciate all of it, even the tough parts. Not everyone has the opportunity to face such challenges and the occasion to really learn something new from them.

Here is my inspirational picture to go along with my self-help speech:

Excerpts from my Mom's travel journal...

"Today was a day unlike any other so far. We were in a small village called Boca de Valaria in the middle of nowhere ! We have been traveling down the Amazon river for more than a day already, and trust me…there is nothing here but muddy water and floating logs and debris from the forest. The ship had to pick up a pilot consultant for the Amazon River, to go more safely, deeper into the rainforest To pick them up, we found ourselves in this village. We tendered in our own lifeboats to the nearby village and as we exited the boats, were greeted by the villagers and many children. They took our hands and showed huge smiles, while walking alongside of us. I ‘adopted’ two little girls and a boy…for most of the morning. They introduced me to their father, and I visited in their home. I found it to be very sparse, as one might expect, adorned with hammocks in each room (beds), a macaw poster, few to no pictures and a very primitive kitchen. The elder who showed us her home was a short, older woman, with a dark, worn face filled with the wrinkles made from hard work and family life. She was lovely and welcoming. It was nice just meeting her. After about an hour, finally, I gave each of the children a little Peruvian doll pin and a small amount of money to be used for school supplies; then, off they went (to another newly arriving visitor)."

"After seeing their church, school and homes, we took a dugout wooden canoe ride down the river to a water lily garden. Interesting to note that when we tried to enter the garden, the propeller of the small gas motor, got stuck in the roots and nearly threw both Pat and me into the Amazon, camera and all. Luckily, the boat righted itself, just before we went in and all was all right. I don’t think Pat wanted to go swimming in the Amazon very much…me either! Riding in the boat was lovely, quiet and smooth and filled with the simple beauty of a primitive jungle river. The water lily garden was massive and we found a few lilies in bloom, some random birds walking along, on top and within the garden. It was peaceful, lovely and a memory not soon forgotten."

Three hours in Montreal...

When you live 90 miles from one of Canada's most interesting cities, it's easy to arrange for a quick visit, even if you weren't planning on leaving the country at 9am that morning! That's exactly what happened yesterday. I woke up and walked to city market to buy some breakfast items. Whilst sipping on my coffee, Steven and I chatted about the day's plans. I suggested we go to Montreal for lunch. After a short deliberation, we decided it was on! In 30 minutes we were on the road and headed north. We had to be back by 5pm so, the plan was to be in the city for just about 3 hours. What can you do in three hours you ask?

1. Visit the Basilica in Old Montreal.

2. See the artwork in the galleries/studios that are free of charge.

3. Have lunch! Steve might suggest the steak frites with gravy.

4. Cross your fingers that there is some sort of music festival happening while you're in town. Yesterday, the barges, large ships and trains were blowing their horns and whistles while musicians played along with them. One street artist called it, "the port's symphony!"

5. Say hello to street vendors selling their photographs and paintings.

6. Drive up Mt. Royal to get a view of the city!

7. Eat a red velvet cupcake from Les Glaceurs. Yum.

Here are a few pictures from the day:

Housewarming!

This past Tuesday night, I had a couple of people over for cupcakes and conversation. It was great to have old friends meet newer friends and for everyone to see the new place. Since it was a Tuesday night, I didn't have more than two hours to get everything ready after work and before everyone arrived. I felt rushed but, as soon as the first guests arrived, I slowed right down and enjoyed every minute of it. A place always feels more like a home when friends visit. I can't wait to host another shindig soon!

vanilla cupcakes with homemade cream cheese frosting and dark chocolate shavings:

Greg and Jay:

Holly:

Jeff showing off his tetanus shot bandaid?!:

Steven and Ginevra: