tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101765232024-03-13T18:59:47.714-07:00yesha. (what does it mean?)the goddess speaks...whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-53609787588808356992011-07-25T18:14:00.000-07:002011-08-20T17:57:49.790-07:00Paradise, thy name is New Hampshire<a href="http://www.worldfellowship.org/site/wp-content/themes/jpdstudio/images/banners/banner_about.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 980px; height: 186px;" src="http://www.worldfellowship.org/site/wp-content/themes/jpdstudio/images/banners/banner_about.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>
<br />The past four days I was completely out of touch with all friends and family except for the few with whom I was staying, at the <a href="http://www.worldfellowship.org/index.shtml">World Fellowship Center</a>, the tagline of which is <i>Where Global Justice Meets Nature.</i><div>
<br /></div><div>I soaked in nature, reveled in it, biked it, drank it, ate it, partied and laughed in it, swam in it... all but became one with it.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>some of the memories that stand out:</div><div><ul><li>floating on my back in the middle of Whitton Pond and gazing up at the blue sky and clouds while the water cradled me</li><li>getting coached by Bike Guru Howie on three consecutive days of progressively more difficult bikerides. (the second two being at six in the morning!)</li><li>learning how to properly get on and off a "tall bike" - as I always used to keep my seat way too low... (again from Bike Guru Howie) </li><li>greedily gathering wild blueberries at Whitton Pond and enjoying their plump blue-purpleness as they popped in my mouth</li><li>watching little M (my friend's daughter) enjoying wild blueberries for the first time</li><li>sharing the amazing World Fellowship food with friends who are family - and getting to share laughs with Galia about my odd food preferences (I think I was the only adult to request peanut butter and ketchup!) </li><li>relishing the musical offerings of Tomas Rodriguez (Spanish and Flamenco Guitar), mbira master Kevin Nathaniel Hylton and percussionist Urbano Sanchez</li><li>delighting in the prettiness of the white goat </li><li>getting scared (in a good way) as I got pushed by G. in the t-a-l-l swing that's hung high up in a tree</li><li>watching four year old S. and 2 year old M. each dance and delight in the music in her own way as the dining hall resonated with the sounds of the mbira, the guitar, and the rhythms</li><li>walking down to the pond - and then swimming, diving (diving!!!!) and floating around to my heart's content. and lounging about on the floating docks when a respite was needed...</li><li>learning (the hard way) that I don't know how to row a rowboat. But thankfully being saved by D's mad awesome rowing skills, and making it all the way to Blueberry Island (and back!)</li><li>singing French songs to little M. in the rowboat</li><li>snorting at H's deadpan jokes</li><li>laughing with S and G and friends over wine, beer, and chips in the buggy but snug porch of Weller House</li><li>creating art under the able guidance of Stephanie - who taught us a bit of printmaking - working with linoleum and rubber and inks!</li></ul><div>All in all I feel like a hobbit who's returned from a glorious stay at Rivendell.</div><div>
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<br /></div>whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-26191801247095472102011-05-14T09:28:00.000-07:002011-05-15T07:05:44.246-07:00Fourth time's the charm<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4eRp4gqp7Ww/Tc6waI_zpPI/AAAAAAAABVc/YWqaaDyOHVo/s1600/gradcap.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 188px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4eRp4gqp7Ww/Tc6waI_zpPI/AAAAAAAABVc/YWqaaDyOHVo/s200/gradcap.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606612549261042930" /></a><br />For the fourth time in my life, I'll be crossing a graduation stage this June, this time to receive my MLS degree. In fact, I had made up my mind not to go. Who wants the fuss of a cap and gown? Who wants to swelter or have your legs fall asleep while listening to speeches galore, mostly by people you don't even know? <div><br /></div><div>And yet, the time has come, and, with some prodding from my sister and parents, eager to put a stamp of fanfare and closure on the last four years of part-time schooling (which probably drove them almost as crazy as it did me, considering how often "But I've got a paper to do!" was an excuse for... whatever I needed it be an excuse for...) I decided, fine, I'll go through the process one more time. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's not the ceremony that's important to me, (obviously). It's the being done, it's the breath I can finally exhale, it's the smile that's returned to my cheeks, it's the lack of guilt while I'm blogging, playing, or just lying there, the lack of, "oh damn. I've got that paper to do, that Blackboard post to write, that research project to research..." And, to be frank, it's the achievement of the Masters. For years to know that I was capable of this (and more) but not having done it, was a silent little thorn in my side, as much as I like to think I'm above such thinking. Now it's no more. I proved myself to myself. The breath of relief is exhaled and a sense of calm descends.... for a moment.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then it's on to... What's next?</div>whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-17918753702504985222011-04-30T15:57:00.000-07:002011-04-30T16:21:16.546-07:00new york: it is the best of cities, it is the worst of citiestoday was just a fantabulously scrumptiously beautifully gorgeous day in NYC.<div>the sun was gloriously shining down on us, people were so just so happy to have a nice day on a Saturday, they were even smiling at strangers on the subway. (okay, so maybe i made that last part up, but one could always dream, eh?)</div><div><br /></div><div>seriously. i had such a fantastic day. it started with South indian style brunch at Saravanaa's in Curry Hill with author-activist extraordinaire, <a href="http://neeshameminger.blogspot.com/">Neesha Meminger</a>. We talked of some ins and outs of the publishing world, and about the inequalities that exist within the current publishing paradigm, as well as creative ways writers can step around that structure to make things happen in ways that work for them and their audiences. I am not going into high level of detail here, as I didn't take notes... and maybe just maybe I'll get to interview Neesha for a podcast and we can talk about it more leisurely there... </div><div><br /></div><div>then i was off to the post office to mail my friend <a href="http://www.joyweesemoll.com/">Joy Weese Moll</a> some books that she could (potentially) blog about... or just read for fun. As a just-one-class-away-from-being-a-librarian, I often get more books than I know what to do with. And teens will take only so many! At the post office, I was hoping to beg the staff to help me seal my yellow envelope with packing tape, (I had forgotten to bring mine), but what do you know, the PO, struggling with budget cuts, is no longer giving their employees pens to use, let alone tape! </div><div><br /></div><div>It galled me to think of buying tape when I have so much just sitting there at home, but I went to a hardware store anyway... And then, lo and behold, the guy who worked there had a heart of gold, and let me use not only his tape but even his utility knife so i could hack off pieces of tape, for free! And he wouldn't even accept a candy for a thank you! May he have 7 years of good luck, I say! Then, having shipped off my lumpy bumpy package to Joy (hope you like 'em, Joy) I was off to the N train stop at 23rd and Broadway, to get back home to work on my (last leg of my) interminable research project. And there, at Madison Square Park, was a fully in swing Sikh festival going on, complete with langar for all... By then, my appetite was craving for a little something, so i satisfied it with salty lassi, paneer makhni, chole, roti, makki ki roti, and saag... oh yeah, and jalebi. and watermelon. yum. and it was so fun to see so many families just enjoying themselves. I think I saw more Sikh people in Madison Square Park than i did on my entire month long journey to india this past January! and everyone was so friendly, and genuinely happy to give you food and, i don't know, it was just such a warm feeling. Imagine... feeding complete strangers, for free, in midtown Manhattan!</div><div><br /></div><div>and then, i was back on the subway, back on my way home. When my train arrived, the guy who was standing in front of me, paused and let me go in before him. so polite... (albeit unnecessary.) it brought to mind something (completely opposite) that happened a couple of days ago. As I was entering a station, having just swiped my Metro card, this guy who was leaving, just pushed himself out of the same entry/exit gate i had just swiped... thereby making my swipe invalid and trapping me outside the station, with a 15 minute wait ahead of me till my metrocard reset itself... (and, if my card had been the pay as you go, i'd have been so S.O.L.) When I protested to him, as he was about to push out, saying, 'hey, i just beeped my card!' his snarled response was, "you saw me, f- you." Beautiful.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, there we have it, NYC and its people in all our splendor --- beautiful generosity, mixed with petty cheap meanness... it's part of what makes this city so surprisingly alive.</div><div><br /></div>whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-11255912160525692002011-04-17T18:02:00.000-07:002011-04-17T18:11:38.775-07:00Found: Old To-Do lists, circa 1998 and 1999<strong>To Do June 14, 1998</strong> <br /><ul><br /><li><span>Newsletter </span></li><br /><li><span>Transfer Newsletter </span></li><br /><li><span>Letter to HI counselors/Telephone to the same(?) </span></li><br /><li><span>Lunch with Nabila </span></li><br /><li><span>Sending info to the USIS info centers in New Delhi and Bombay </span></li><br /><li><span>Drawer Audits… </span></li><br /><li><span>---Deposit </span></li><br /><li><span>---Admit </span></li><br /><li><span>---Shortage </span></li></ul><span></span><strong>to do for yesha for 4.5.99 </strong><br /><ol><br /><li>call Honolulu Country Club and arrange for food . </li><br /><li>call Lei Lady (Phone #??) and perhaps arrange for Leis in HI </li><br /><li>Call HI High Schools and arrange visits (!!!) </li><br /><li>Call Lil World Travel and buy plane ticket (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) </li><br /><li>Evaluate files on desk </li><br /><li>F.A. phoning </li><br /><li>Shortage phoning </li><br /><li>Meet with Astrid re: LA reception. Talk about: a. slide show---can she/we put together ASAP... maybe take pics of "a day in the life of..." new version? b. Itinerary---print out an old one if possible...go over who will do what c. Making sure there are students there... maybe we need to arrange for a special LA-a-thon! </li><br /><li>Proof those Web Apps!!! </li><br /><li>********Put together a list of Presidential scholar recommendees*********** </li></ol><strong>to do 8-11-99</strong> <br /><ol><br /><li>Send Measles paper to dr. w’s nurse… also include note about needing TB test certification. </li><br /><li>send reg for Praxis exams. </li><br /><li>send in promissory note to fin aid office </li><br /><li>call fa aid and ask them if can reduce the unsub loan and then increase it later, if necessary… </li><br /><li>send j.m. an email about that class…cannot take due to scheduling conflict. </li><br /><li>register for that art history class(?) </li><br /><li>pack for new jersey </li><br /><li>laundry</li></ol>---------- somehow laundry is the one that still resonates, all these years later...whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-54771391057101573562011-01-11T22:00:00.000-08:002011-01-17T07:03:59.785-08:00India Days 9 and 10- ThiruvannamalaiOn Day 9 I flew freakin' early in the morning from Delhi to Chennai, and then hopped in a rented car for a 4 hour drive to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiruvannaamalai">Thiruvannamalai </a>to visit my friend S's family -- her grandparents live there and her mom and bro and sis in law were also visiting. I felt so honored to be asked to visit!<br /><br />This is short, as I have limited internet time, but... TV malai, as S's family calls it, was Spec.Tac.Cu.Lar.<br /><br />things I remember, no particular order--<br /><ul><li>drinking fresh green coconuts, just picked from the tree in S's grandparents garden (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)</li><li>eating fresh hot dosai</li><li>visiting the ashram of Ramana Maharshi... I have no words for the peace that descended as the devotees chanted...</li><li>Visiting the main temple and being blessed by a baby (girl) elephant! (it involves giving a coin in return for a gentle thump on the head!!!)</li><li>having S's tata (grandfather) show us around the temple, telling us the history, and even get us the opportunity for special pooja of the main deity as well as of the goddess</li><li>playing with S's 1.5 year old daughter</li><li>getting a (mild) electric shock - (Note: Be VERY careful when removing your phone from being charged!!!)</li><li>the gorgeous Arunachal Mountain</li><li>walking to the little temples next to S's grandparents' place and learning about her family's guru...<br /></li><li>Taking time with D and S to hang out in S's grandfather's study... a timeless place that elicits thinking and contemplation, while staring out at the beauty of Arunachala<br /></li><li>being blessed by S's grandmother and mother</li><li>the l-o-n-g car ride back to Chennai with little M and S, singing songs to little M to pass the time! :-)</li><li>The lovely dinner with S and big M in Chennai (even it was North Indian!!!)</li></ul>whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-76461223727697852812011-01-09T10:23:00.000-08:002011-01-09T10:52:31.110-08:00india day 8 - DelhiIn the morning, P and I went for an excursion to old Delhi... We saw the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jama_Masjid,_Delhi">Jama Masjid</a>. It was beautiful, with a vast stone courtyard, picturesque arches and ornate stone window screens. It was also freezing cold, as we had to remove our shoes. Thank god for socks, which protected our feet not only from the numbing stone vastness, but also from the product of thousands of pigeons which swoop over the courtyard. <div><br /></div><div>After that we took a walk around the nooks and gullies of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandni_Chowk">Chandni Chowk</a>, the market of old Delhi. As it was a Sunday, many shops were closed, but that had the advantage of making the traffic easy to navigate, both by foot and car. Also, we focused on the beautiful if decrepit architectural details. (Again, I don't have the photos downloaded, but in due time some will be attached to this entry.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Then we went to the very close by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daryaganj">Kitab Bazaar (book bazaar)</a> that's held in the area known as Daryaganj every Sunday. These guys spread out their wares (of secondhand books) and wear socks, to make it easy to traipse over the books to pick up the one that an interested customer is pointing at. P noted that most of the books were about computers, computer programs, business, or some type of educational book. Very few humanities represented, except for the ubiquitous "trashy novels." The librarian in me noticed that some of the books being sold were in good condition while others were so far gone that they would have been weeded asap, had they been discovered lurking in my library.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then we found this guy who sells old stamps, not only Indian, but from over the whole world. That cheered us a bit, to find something we considered of real value out there, amidst all the detritus of C++ et al...</div><div><br /></div><div>Lunch was with the whole gang and some of their friends and some of my friends, all at the <a href="http://www.indiahabitat.org/main.htm">Habitat Centre</a>, specifically at the <a href="http://www.delhiodelhi.com/">Delhi, O Delhi restauran</a>t, which has an excellent buffet. I was stuffed when we left -- with good conversation, new friends, and a great meal. Yum.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then we came home and S and M promptly put me to work, helping create a fairy treasure chest. It's hard work, you know! :-) Much talking and laughing happened, despite the taskmaster's strict orders to focus on the task at hand -- of painting the treasure chest as many bright colors as possible.</div><div><br /></div><div>After dinner, it was Harry Potter time again, and today we read all about Grawp - Hagrid's half brother. Much giggling happened alongside the reading, due to the antics of both Grawp and of 5-year old S, who was in a zany mood. The goodnights were bittersweet, as I depart (fog allowing) for Chennai tomorrow morning...</div><div><br /></div><div>Then a little more conversation, a lot of readjustment packing (keeping in mind the warmer weather in South India) and now off to sleep... Good night!</div><div><br /></div><div>oh, and p.s.... Forgot to mention that I started off the morning with a short brisk walk around the track at Gulmohar Club. There were swings too, so I got in a few swings before the security guard informed me that the swings would break if adults went on them. I don't know... it seemed sturdy to me!</div><div> :-)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-63135875594697779162011-01-08T10:02:00.000-08:002011-01-08T10:18:15.496-08:00India day 7 - DelhiHighlights:<div><br /></div><div><ul><li>birthday party for my friends' 5 yr old... complete with an indoor bouncy castle and to-die-for chocolate cake made by a Canadian bakery</li><li>Making a string doll with the 5 yr old's nine year old sister</li><li>dinner at a chic Italian restaurant to celebrate the 5 yr old's dad's 39th birthday. Yum!</li><li>a before sunset stroll by myself in a beautiful, quiet neighborhood</li><li>drawing bunnies, genies, and puppies with my 5 yr old and 9 yr old nieces</li><li>watching the five yr old's eyes glow as her birthday presents towered in front of her</li><li>talking with my friends M and P about their newly-found grudging acceptance of Barbies</li><li>going to a party being held by a writer at her barsati, and meeting journalists, artists, anthropologists, and even a former race car driver there!</li><li>going to sleep!</li></ul></div><div>:-)</div>whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-14398813181513619082011-01-07T18:17:00.001-08:002011-01-07T18:21:34.344-08:00India day 6 - DelhiAs today I was (shakily) feeling better, I was up and about, but cautiously. I took a short trip to a local market... (Didn't feel up to going to a museum or anything more touristy). Bought some birthday gifts and clothes to wear when I go to South India (which is warmer)<div><br /></div><div>Then came home and spent time with five year old S., making a string Bharata Natyam doll, complete with a flying house. Much fun was had. </div><div><br /></div><div>But I must say, 5 year olds have a LOT of energy. Who knew? :-) I ended up taking a 2 hour nap in the evening to compensate. </div><div><br /></div><div>Evening routine was the same, with the Harry Potter and chat with P and M... </div><div><br /></div><div>Pictures to follow. </div>whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-17836259319625826412011-01-06T18:15:00.000-08:002011-01-07T21:13:41.414-08:00India day 5 - DelhiI was sick all day... Just lay in bed with a fever and other things... And was taken care of by P and M. I couldn't ask for better friends, who talked with the doctor on the phone, got the meds, made me take them, fussed and hovered...<br /><div><br /></div><div>Today was.... achy sleep.....</div>whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-14336656570655259252011-01-05T19:25:00.000-08:002011-01-07T21:14:45.844-08:00India day 4 - Delhi<ul><li>explored Dilli Haat some more and shopped for some more gifts</li><li>watched a fun dance program in the courtyard at Dilli Haat - Rajasthani bhavai - wherein there was singing, whirling, whirling with pots (6!) balanced on head, and accomplishments of feats of balance, like dancing on top of two swords! I have photos galore, but not on this computer, so if one were to return to this blog, in time there would be photos to see...</li><li>went to Khan Market to revisit <a href="http://manzil.in/">Manzil</a> - a youth empowerment and learning center. This time my friends P and M and P and S came with me. <a href="http://manzil.in/">Manzil</a> is just an amazing organization, and if I were to return to volunteer, this would be an excellent place to come. I'm so glad my friends came with me, as they're in Delhi longer, and I think they might volunteer. The kids there are so confident in themselves. It is a beauty to see. We first had a nice talk with Ravi, the founder of the center, and then were given a tour and an opportunity to observe a couple of English classes by R, a 13 year old with an intrepid gaze and surety beyond her years. It also gives one pause to think, that Manzil is located smack dab in the middle of Khan Market, a hustling bustling capitalistic enterprise... It's a great metaphor for what is possible in life, if one chooses to focus on the important things... </li><li>came home, had a nice dinner, a nice Harry Potter reading, and a nice chat with P and M by the "fireplace" (actually a radiant heater) (The indoor temps here hover between 40 to 55 degrees, sometimes feeling lower due to the dampness of things.)</li><li>Then... at night, things started to fall apart, leading to..... my first sickness of the India trip.</li><li>All I can say is, thank Spirit of the Universe that I was / am with friends who took amazing care of me, despite my stubbornness.</li></ul><div><br /></div>whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-50024877906400469472011-01-04T18:41:00.000-08:002011-01-04T19:02:30.414-08:00India day 3 - DelhiSome cool stuff (not necessarily in chronological order):<div><ul><li>hung out at the American Embassy School with P and M - their kids go there. and there's a cafe there, with yummy food and a relaxed vibe, called Open Hands. I walked around the beautiful campus too, taking fotos of pretty New Year's rangoli made with flower petals as well as several beautiful sculptures and some lush plant life.</li><li>ate a yummy yum guava for lunch</li><li>went to Dilli Haat to meet an old friend (MK) who's living here... As we caught up on our lives, we shopped a bit for gifts as well as ate momos at the Nagaland booth, amaranth cutlets at the Navdanya booth, and bought some organic foods from Navdanya, (founded by Vandana Shiva) including haldar (turmeric) for my mom... Also, since it was freezing cold, we drank cup after cup of mint and lemongrass tea. Yum.</li><li>went to GK 1 to do some clothes shopping at Anokhi and another store (kurtas)</li><li>listened to another cozy installment of the Harry Potter reading series with the whole M, S, P, M family</li><li>ate a vegetable pastry puff at a bakery (it's like a croissant with a warm / spicy samosa-y filling, but not too much of the filling, so it's just right and hits the spot)</li><li>took the Delhi metro for the first time ever! by myself, too! and it was easy! and clean! and efficient! </li><li>night time conversation with M and P about the reality of adjusting to life in India, especially when it comes to bureaucracy... and formulating theories as to why things are the way they are...</li><li>ate Mango papad squares that MK kindly purchased for us from a booth at Dilli Haat</li><li>watched admiringly and chatted with M and S as they biked and scootered their way up and down their courtyard, showing me their squiggly wiggly moves</li></ul></div>whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-51807095741304537732011-01-03T14:09:00.000-08:002011-01-03T14:19:41.365-08:00India day 2 - DelhiHighlights of day 2 --<div><br /></div><div><ul><li>meeting up with old friends P and M and their kids M and S after a very long time (I'll be visiting them for a while!)</li><li>eating exquisite tomato basil risotto at Khan Market</li><li>visiting the expansively gorgeous and thought-provoking Humayun's Tomb - which I learned from my friends was the only place Barack Obama had time to see when he v. briefly visited Delhi</li><li>braving the whole getting a sim card / exchanging money deal with trusty friend P at my side</li><li>a yummy homemade dinner of karela and cauliflower and kadhi with rice and rotlis</li><li>eating juicy India oranges after dinner</li><li>being treated to a cozy family story hour of Harry Potter read aloud by M as my nieces cuddled in to sleep, P made expressive facial expressions to go along with Hermione's characterization, and i blinked, woozy with jetlag, but happy to be with all...</li></ul><div>Hopefully, I'll download some photos soon(ish) and add them to the respective posts.</div></div><div><br /></div>whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-6600606073329223742011-01-02T11:56:00.000-08:002011-01-03T14:31:31.991-08:00India day 1 - Delhihighlights:<div><ul><li>waking up at 6 a.m. and not being much jetlagged through the day.</li><li>eating guava on a sunny-chilly-fresh Delhi terrace</li><li>working out with friends</li><li>getting an oil head massage</li><li>eating yummy food at Ai (Japanese)</li><li>giggling with my 18 year old niece</li><li>talking and chilling with my Delhi friends</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-30680724055251452042010-12-03T03:52:00.000-08:002010-12-19T10:23:22.066-08:00Food for thought - Email forwards from friends' kidsSo, I am recently (as of one hour ago) the lucky recipient of an email forward from my friends' kid, age, oh, about 10. This one, thank collective-soul, is not a chain-mail where all my hairs will fall off if I don't forward it to all of you within 17 minutes of receipt. Whew.<br /><br />Rather it's one of the more thoughtful ones, full of rhetorical questions of <span style="font-style: italic;">things that make you go gee... </span>(Scroll to the bottom of the post to see it, if you're at all interested).<br /><br />It's easy to smile and feel so much older and mature, and think, "ah, kids will be kids." But I got to thinking. back in the infancy of the Internet, weren't we all (or most) forwarding such emails to each other? Jokes, chain mails, recipes, random picture (and virus) laden emails that heavily taxed our 2GB-limited Hotmail accounts?<br /><br />So perhaps our kids and our friends' kids are not so much showing their youth when it comes to these forwards, but rather this is a stage that all (or most) newbies to the internet must go through... a rite of passage, if you will.<br /><br />Here's the email from my friend's kid, by the way, in case you're curious. :-)<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);" ><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><b><span>If swimming is a good exercise to stay fit, Why are whales fat? </span></b><br /><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; ">Why is the place in a stadium where people sit,<br />called a STAND?<br /><br />Why is it that everyone wants to go to heaven?<br />But nobody wants to die?<br /><br />Shall I say that there is racial discrimination even<br />In chess as the white piece is moved first?<br /><br />In our country, we have freedom of speech,<br />Then why do we have telephone bills?<br /><br />If money does not grow on trees then<br />Why do banks have branches?<br /><br />Why doesn't glue stick to its bottle?<br /><br />Why do you still call it building when</span></b><span><br /><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; ">it’s already built?<br /><br />If it’s true that we are here to help others,<br />What are others here for?<br /><br />If you are not supposed to drink and<br />Drive why do bars have parking lots?<br /><br />We all r Living in a seriously funny world....<br />So just enjoy the fun</span></b></span></span>whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-90038491822367609112010-11-05T19:33:00.000-07:002010-11-12T21:40:55.902-08:00Land of Enchantment Day 4Today was the first day of the conference for which I am here - <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TN4LQdqpx9I/AAAAAAAAAd4/Ike55xC45lI/s1600/balloon%2B6.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TN4LQdqpx9I/AAAAAAAAAd4/Ike55xC45lI/s200/balloon%2B6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538876969181628370" border="0" /></a>the <a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/yalitsymposium/symposium.cfm">YALSA Young Adult Literature Symposium</a>. But before the conference got under way, I had an exciting adventure - one I wasn't sure if I would follow through on at first, but eventually did, which I will term the Beauteous Balloon Adventure.<br /><br />The YALSA folks had kindly negotiated a good price for those who wished to soar into the skies on a hot air balloon (an activity Albuquerque is well-known for, as it hosts the yearly <a href="http://www.balloonfiesta.com/">International Balloon Fiesta</a>). I had always had a yen for ballooning, after an incident when I was 16 -- a bunch of us from Saturday School were camping for our annual Summer Camp, when a balloon came down in a scrub area near our campsite. Since the boys amongst us helped the balloonists bring their balloon down safely, they gave some of us a ride up to 80 feet, with the remaining hot air (once the balloon was safely tethered). But then I had also heard of a hairy hot air balloon experience my friends Liz and Bill had soon after their wedding, wherein they landed, I think, in a tree! So, with equal parts excitement and trepidation I decided to go for it along with about 20 other intrepid librarians from all over the U.S.<br /><br />We were met at the conference hotel at 6:30 a.m. by several balloon pilots with vans (and presumably balloons) in tow and taken to the ground where the balloons would be launched. I was surprised to be recruited into helping get the balloon inflated -- my job was to hang on to one edge of the balloon (for dear life) while a giant fan blew air into it. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TN4LQ3d2wuI/AAAAAAAAAeI/nlFdlX5Je-s/s1600/balloon%2B4.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TN4LQ3d2wuI/AAAAAAAAAeI/nlFdlX5Je-s/s200/balloon%2B4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538876976107274978" border="0" /></a>Near the end, it felt like the balloon was about to lift off despite me bearing down backwards with my full weight. I need to write one of the other folks in my group to ask for that photo!<br /><br />All in all about five to eight balloons were taking off from the same dirt field... It turns out that the early morning is the best time for hot air ballooning, as a result of relatively predictable and mellow wind patterns.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TN4LQIZCj_I/AAAAAAAAAdw/ADUMSEgLkWc/s1600/balloon%2B7.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TN4LQIZCj_I/AAAAAAAAAdw/ADUMSEgLkWc/s200/balloon%2B7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538876963470610418" border="0" /></a><br />The best part of the ride was coasting along the tops of the golden cottonwood trees that grace the banks of the Rio Grande... <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TN4LRZhQ0UI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/VlVm25L8pW8/s1600/balloon%2B3.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TN4LRZhQ0UI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/VlVm25L8pW8/s200/balloon%2B3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538876985248371010" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TN4LQnGv_AI/AAAAAAAAAeA/2JVuRdtYAmQ/s1600/balloon%2B5.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TN4LQnGv_AI/AAAAAAAAAeA/2JVuRdtYAmQ/s200/balloon%2B5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538876971715394562" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The worst part of the ride was that it was all over all too soon... I am so glad that, despite my reservations, I went for it.whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-86138187264638811372010-11-04T21:35:00.000-07:002010-11-06T23:26:56.357-07:00Land of Enchantment Day 3<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNY8mC0D-KI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/gq6GE7Tev14/s1600/2010+NM+day+3+057.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNY8mC0D-KI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/gq6GE7Tev14/s320/2010+NM+day+3+057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536679416186534050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Lori had suggested yesterday that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valles_Caldera">Valles Caldera Natural Preserve</a> would be a good day trip, as it is scenic, has some good hiking trails, and one can do a loop, going west and then north, up over Santa Fe, and then dropping down to Santa Fe via Los Alamos and then back down to Albuquerque. Jim was game to come along again, for which I am ever so thankful, as I don't think I could have hiked the steep trail we ended up hiking, without his encouragement.<br /><br />So we set off mid morning, up 25 North, and then west on 550, and north on 4. There was a steady, curving incline as we climbed up the Jemez Mountains. Since we were going to go for a "real hike" (meaning that it was going to be moderately strenuous, at least for me!) I voted to get coffee at the <a href="http://www.thelaughinglizard.com/">Laughing Lizard Inn & Cafe</a> in Jemez Springs (point B on map below) on the way to give me courage, what with my being out of shape and all.... Good, strong coffee with a chocolaty feel and look gave me that needed kick in the pants for what was to come!<br /><br />Then we headed over to the Jemez Falls trailhead/picnic area. (see point C on map for approximate location.)<br /><br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Albuquerque,+NM&daddr=Laughing+Lizard+Inn+%26+Cafe,+Jemez+Springs,+NM+to:jemez+falls+to:mile+marker+39.2.,+jemez+springs,+nm,+Jemez+Springs,+NM+87025+%28Valles+Caldera+National+Preserve%29+to:Santa+Fe,+NM+to:Albuquerque,+NM&geocode=FctYFwId_6Gk-Sl7gwnT3QoihzH99tm4zvjTwA%3BFenOIQIdxgSk-SE4pZrK5aCemCkja7YjcZgihzHqDfb3TteW1Q%3BFcJ1IgIdqVCl-SmzI5uclaEihzFFOn2Bob5yGQ%3BFXfBIgIdeSGn-SGkCRdv0q3mPw%3BFT-KIAIdeYSv-SmpUpjnQ1AYhzFA34j9cyOQjA%3BFctYFwId_6Gk-Sl7gwnT3QoihzH99tm4zvjTwA&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=35.480802,-106.636047&sspn=1.274832,3.348083&ie=UTF8&ll=35.592552,-106.350403&spn=0.781707,1.167297&z=9&output=embed" width="425" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Albuquerque,+NM&daddr=Laughing+Lizard+Inn+%26+Cafe,+Jemez+Springs,+NM+to:jemez+falls+to:mile+marker+39.2.,+jemez+springs,+nm,+Jemez+Springs,+NM+87025+%28Valles+Caldera+National+Preserve%29+to:Santa+Fe,+NM+to:Albuquerque,+NM&geocode=FctYFwId_6Gk-Sl7gwnT3QoihzH99tm4zvjTwA%3BFenOIQIdxgSk-SE4pZrK5aCemCkja7YjcZgihzHqDfb3TteW1Q%3BFcJ1IgIdqVCl-SmzI5uclaEihzFFOn2Bob5yGQ%3BFXfBIgIdeSGn-SGkCRdv0q3mPw%3BFT-KIAIdeYSv-SmpUpjnQ1AYhzFA34j9cyOQjA%3BFctYFwId_6Gk-Sl7gwnT3QoihzH99tm4zvjTwA&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=35.480802,-106.636047&sspn=1.274832,3.348083&ie=UTF8&ll=35.592552,-106.350403&spn=0.781707,1.167297&z=9" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br />The Jemez Falls are beautiful and only a short quarter mile hike away from the trailhead.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNZDV08MnhI/AAAAAAAAAXA/_yojf2cly94/s1600/IMG_3821.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNZDV08MnhI/AAAAAAAAAXA/_yojf2cly94/s320/IMG_3821.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536686834166046226" border="0" /></a>But then, we returned to where the trail forked, to go down to the McCauley Hot Springs... more like the McCauley lukewarm springs, as we learned... The way down (down and down!) to the springs was gorgeous, with a Tahoe-like atmosphere created by plentiful fir and pine trees (not surprising, considering we were at over 7000 feet in elevation.) The springs are about 600 feet down in elevation from the start of the trailhead, which was all very well and easy on the way down, but on the way back... well, let's just say that the going was s-l-o-w... :-)<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNY-E2mlRQI/AAAAAAAAAWY/VUMtLIMTwi4/s1600/2010+NM+day+3+079.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNY-E2mlRQI/AAAAAAAAAWY/VUMtLIMTwi4/s320/2010+NM+day+3+079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536681044996343042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />But all the effort was worth it, as the McCauley springs are these gorgeous little dammed up pools filled with clear lukewarm water and sand, and minnows that like to nibble at your feet. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNY-FLHTPAI/AAAAAAAAAWg/jFZZrD2bpAw/s1600/2010+NM+day+3+083.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNY-FLHTPAI/AAAAAAAAAWg/jFZZrD2bpAw/s320/2010+NM+day+3+083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536681050502282242" border="0" /></a>In case you're wondering, it tickles! And did I mention the views are just stunning? Don't take my word for it... take a look at some of these pics!<br /><br />After the steep back to the trailhead, we realized that more time had passed than we had allotted for the hike (hmm... wonder who might have caused that?) So we got back on our merry way, as we had yet to actually see the ancient volcano top (now a grass valley) that is Valles Caldera... Good thing that our path naturally had us driving around part of the rim of it, on our way to and through Los Alamos. It is huge and... well huge. Vast. Mountain tops formed back in the day, by lava erupting, in the middle of it. I don't think this photo (the one with the yellow grassy meadow) does it justice... You'll have to go yourself and check it out! <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNZARELJvJI/AAAAAAAAAWw/xlY3gdtBBzc/s1600/2010+NM+day+3+096.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNZARELJvJI/AAAAAAAAAWw/xlY3gdtBBzc/s320/2010+NM+day+3+096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536683453821074578" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />At this point, exhausted, it was decided to try to get back to Albuquerque to meet Lori for food as soon as possible, but it did take a while. After all, we had to pass through Los Alamos (there was a security checkpoint!) and Santa Fe as well. No visit to the old town this trip, as the sun was setting, but we were lucky to get a wonderful view of the sunset on the way back! Take a look!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNZB2cEMVnI/AAAAAAAAAW4/hd3fNzIAbAc/s1600/IMG_3863.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNZB2cEMVnI/AAAAAAAAAW4/hd3fNzIAbAc/s320/IMG_3863.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536685195401123442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a href="http://www.vallescaldera.gov/" class="l noline"><em></em></a>whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-53121975312302658672010-11-03T22:30:00.000-07:002010-11-06T23:31:52.882-07:00Land of Enchantment Day 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNOGTWgOuaI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/oIs-lxVZBSM/s1600/2010+New+Mexico+027.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNOGTWgOuaI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/oIs-lxVZBSM/s320/2010+New+Mexico+027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535916033984870818" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNOHOcXLCHI/AAAAAAAAAVo/9RkDNetEx5w/s1600/2010+New+Mexico+059.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNOHOcXLCHI/AAAAAAAAAVo/9RkDNetEx5w/s320/2010+New+Mexico+059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535917049169774706" border="0" /></a><br />Today Jim and I agreed to meet up at noon to mosey down over to the Frontier Restaurant for... what else? a breakfast burrito, but of course!<br /><br />And it was a pleasant surprise to just by chance run into Lori and her colleague, who were also there for lunch, which was awesome. I love the way things just work out sometimes! Lori's colleague, Amy, is a local, we asked her for suggestions on cool things to do in the area. The plan was for Jim and I to hang out, as he's off work right now, and then to meet up with Lori again for dinner. Amy suggested we try the hike at <a href="http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/recreation/rio_puerco/kasha_katuwe_tent_rocks.html">Tent Rocks</a>, as it's amazing. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNOHNnukygI/AAAAAAAAAVY/mKKRm3dvoos/s1600/2010+New+Mexico+028.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNOHNnukygI/AAAAAAAAAVY/mKKRm3dvoos/s320/2010+New+Mexico+028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535917035040852482" border="0" /></a>Plus I am lucky to have arrived in NM so soon after Tent Rocks re-opened to the public after being closed for a long time for road construction. And so, we were off (with a pit stop at REI for me to buy hiking shoes, as I no longer own any. (So glad to have rectified that sad situation!)<br /><br />One thing we realized only after getting very very close to Tent Rocks itself is that neither one of us had water, but we decided to "brave" the short trail anyway... And so glad we did, as it is simply marvelous, weirdly gorgeous, <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNOHN77CRKI/AAAAAAAAAVg/YtzFqG0VBT8/s1600/2010+New+Mexico+038.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNOHN77CRKI/AAAAAAAAAVg/YtzFqG0VBT8/s320/2010+New+Mexico+038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535917040461825186" border="0" /></a>splendid, spiritually inspirational .... <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNOJh38bGII/AAAAAAAAAVw/HXUtFV2F3nQ/s1600/2010+New+Mexico+055.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNOJh38bGII/AAAAAAAAAVw/HXUtFV2F3nQ/s320/2010+New+Mexico+055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535919582014544002" border="0" /></a>What a place. Just see some of these pics.<br /><br /><br /><br />Tired, happy and thirsty, we gratefully gulped down some water found at a nearby convenience store and then raced back down to Albuquerque to meet up with Lori. After some discussion it was decided to go to Lori's beloved <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-patio-de-albuquerque-albuquerque-2">El Patio</a> for dinner. Oh, so good, the vegetarian plate with Christmas on top!<br /><br />All in all, a marvelous second day in the land of enchantment...whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-57689465348833193292010-11-03T21:54:00.000-07:002010-11-12T22:00:42.282-08:00New Mexico food diary part 1malini, this is for you. read and weep. know that I have wept as well, if only from happiness. (and chili!)<br />Yesha's food diary thus far:<br /><br />nov 2, 3 p.m. Frontier Restaurant. Breakfast burrito. To the unititiated, google or yelp it.<br /><br />nov 2, 7 p.m. Flying Star. Buddha Bowl. *yes, not eggzackly New Mexican cuisine. but i was in the mood for feeling virtuous.<br /><br />nov 3, 10 a.m. The best damn cafe latte with almond syrup, from michael thomas coffee.<br /><br />nov 3. 12 pm. Frontier Restaurant. Breakfast burrito. (yes, aGain.)<br /><br />nov 3. 8 p.m. El Patio. Vegetarian plate, consisting of: one avocado burrito, one bean taco or chile relleno, beans and sopapilla. oh and I had it "christmas" style, which meant Both red and green chili on top. And, they give you honey to eat with the sopapilla.<br /><br />edit:<br />nov 4. not much for breakfast or lunch except for some great coffee and a couple of protein bars, and oh yes, an Odwalla C Monster...<br /><br />nov 4. 7:00 p.m. <span class="pp-place-title"><span>Il Vicino Wood Oven Pizza with Lori and Jim.<br /><br />nov 5. champagne breakfast, courtesy of the ballon pilots, complete with mimosa and prewrapped danishes (!)<br /><br />nov 5. dinner, late! Los Cuates with other librarians... I had an omelet with green chili,----eh.... It was just okay, albeit nowhere near as good for vegetarians as El Patio. What was Quite Excellent was the salsa and chips. To Die For. I would recommend going just for the chips and maybe a drink and then going somewhere else (i.e. El Patio) for dinner.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><br />So. That's the food update. For now.whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-74696762743942247882010-11-02T21:00:00.000-07:002010-11-12T22:31:06.072-08:00Land of Enchantment Day 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNK24OxgvGI/AAAAAAAAAVI/MgDkKLFRQbU/s1600/imported+3+Nov+2010+169.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNK2iAwK6_I/AAAAAAAAAVA/40RPSA3kE_Q/s1600/imported+3+Nov+2010+168.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNK2iAwK6_I/AAAAAAAAAVA/40RPSA3kE_Q/s320/imported+3+Nov+2010+168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535687587425610738" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNK2iAwK6_I/AAAAAAAAAVA/40RPSA3kE_Q/s1600/imported+3+Nov+2010+168.JPG"><br /></a><br /><br />Today I arrived in Albuquerque at about noon Mountain time, flying from NYC via Chicago. After paying way too much for a rental car (live and learn!) I checked into my home away from home - a sweet little casita with 3 affordable rooms for rent. The rooms all share one kitchen and one bathroom, and one small living room, complete with flat screen television. Oh, and there's also wifi. And a kickass cafe - <a href="http://www.michaelthomascoffee.com/">Michael Thomas Coffee </a>- next door. And a yoga / meditiation / massage / spiritual studio of all sorts (<a href="http://thesourceabq.com/">The Source</a>) nearby as well. This makes up for the bad karma that is Thrifty rent-a-car. (Never rent from them again!)<br /><br />After check in and some bonding with a new "housemate" at the Casita, I was off to the <a href="http://www.frontierrestaurant.com/">Frontier</a>, an Albuquerque icon of which I have fond memories more than a decade old, for a late lunch. What did I have you ask? A Breakfast Burrito, my friend. And, mmm! it was so Good.<br />Ingredients? Here they are: one egg, hash browns, cheddar cheese and green chile... plus there is, if you choose to add, cold salsa, hot red salsa, hot green salsa, and ketchup. Which I did.<br /><br />Then I was off to the <a href="http://unmartmuseum.unm.edu/up_tamarind_slideshow.html">Tamarind Institute</a>, down the block, to check out their cool lithographs. The informational card below describes what you see above. Beautiful, no? And in the reflection you can see one of the UNM buildings across the street. And oh yes, the gorgeous New Mexican sky.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNK24OxgvGI/AAAAAAAAAVI/MgDkKLFRQbU/s1600/imported+3+Nov+2010+169.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PgnsYKKNo7Y/TNK24OxgvGI/AAAAAAAAAVI/MgDkKLFRQbU/s320/imported+3+Nov+2010+169.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535687969146453090" border="0" /></a>After the short Tamarind Institute trip, I went over to the UNM bookstore to seek out a map. The first year student who rung me up and I had a little talk about how her first year is exciting but so busy as well... And when I mentioned that I was visiting from Brooklyn, she said she really really wants to visit NY, as she's hardly travelled and is so excited about everything she's heard about NY and Brooklyn in particular too. I assured her that to Brooklynites, New Mexico is exotic and exciting!<br /><br />After a quick shopping trip to buy some almond milk, earl grey tea and sunscreen, (yay for casita kitchens!), I met up with my old friend (and past roommate) Jim, so that we could walk over to pick up his wife and my friend Lori from her work. Then we all walked over to the <a href="http://www.flyingstarcafe.com/">Flying Star</a> for dinner, where I partook of the ever so virtuous Buddha Bowl, which consisted of steamed and stir=fried veggies, brown rice and tofu, with some nice ginger flavors. Oh and on the way there, we were accosted by a drunken would-be "friend" who kept begging us to let him give us piggyback rides. He dogged us for a good five plus minutes, almost running into us at times. Sheesh. But funny afterwards.<br /><br />Over dinner we discussed various esoteric points about librarianship and... bonded. It was bliss to be sharing a meal once more, with old friends, in the Land of Enchantment.whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-13595294574552842342010-03-29T10:41:00.000-07:002010-06-06T10:18:50.785-07:00how and why you should support libraries<span style="font-family:arial;">Dear New Yorkers, </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Please consider supporting your local library and libraries in two </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">(2) </span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">ways. (others may take the following and apply it to their own area libraries):</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">1-. Monetary support -- yes, </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">donate</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">, (money, not books--unless the books are brand new and you have checked it out with a librarian first that these books are in fact needed by the library-- donating unneeded books is like treating the library as your personal dump.) </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >How</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> to donate---- (the following are three Separate library systems. Yes, really!:-) )</span><br /><br /><blockquote style="font-family: arial;">A. <a href="http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/support/donor/">Brooklyn Public Library</a> - http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/support/donor/<br /><br />B. <a href="http://www.nypl.org/support">New York Public Library</a> - http://www.nypl.org/support<br /><br />C. <a href="https://secure2.convio.net/qlf/site/Donation2?df_id=1420&1420.donation=form1">Queens Public Library</a> - https://secure2.convio.net/qlf/site/Donation2?df_id=1420&1420.donation=form1</blockquote><span style="font-family:arial;">2. </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Political</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"> support - </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">free</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"> to you, yet sends a strong message to politicians that this is a crucial service that cannot be cut.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">How to </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">send a message</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">:----</span><br /><blockquote style="font-family: arial;">A. http://www.petitiononline.com/nyclibs/petition.html<br />B. http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/support/shelves/<br />C. http://blog.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/post/2010/03/18/Keep-Your-Library-Open!.aspx<br />D. http://www.savequeenslibrary.org/<br />E. http://www.nypl.org/locations/tid/8/node/31430</blockquote><span style="font-family:arial;">Here's </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">why</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"> you should help:</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">In case you'd like to know, here are ways (with example links) in which NY area public libraries support their communities, besides providing access to free books and internet access:</span><br /><blockquote style="font-family: arial;">1. <a href="http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/literacy/esol.jsp">free ESOL classes</a><br /><br />2. <a href="http://www.queenslibrary.org/index.aspx?page_nm=Adult+Literacy+-+ABE+Classes">free GED/ pre GED classes</a><br /><br />3. <a href="http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/ejic.jsp">free Job search help</a><br /><br />4. <a href="http://www.nypl.org/events/classes/2010/01/19/adult-computer-class">free computer classes for senior citizens</a><br /><br />5. <a href="http://www.nypl.org/help/community-outreach/immigrant-services">free computer classes for immigrants</a> (in their native languages)<br /><br />6. <a href="http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/first5years/">free programs for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their parents</a><br /><br />7.<a href="http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/teens/"> free afterschool programs for teens</a> (like Creative Writing workshops, TeenTime)<br /><br />8.<a href="http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/kids/"> free afterschool programs for kids</a> (like Arts and Crafts, Gaming)<br /><br />9. <a href="http://www.nypl.org/help/community-outreach/correctional-services-program">free access for incarcerated citizens who desire to read but are not allowed access unless a librarian visits with a floating collection</a><br /><br />10. and More: <span class="field-content"></span><a href="http://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2010/03/15/manga-drawing-workshop-misako-rocks">Manga drawing workshop with Misako Rocks</a>, <a href="http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/events/culturearts/">Jazz @BrooklynPublicLibrary</a>, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Health%20Information%20and%20Literacy">Health Info and Literacy @ Queens Library</a>... and on, and on, and on...<br /></blockquote>whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-88174951286757903212010-02-28T17:54:00.000-08:002012-07-08T16:55:39.644-07:00the 'normal' things that are going on in my life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: black;">here are the 'normal' things that are going on in my life, beyond the unsettling-getting-burglarized-stuff...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">on Feb 1, i started my 6th semester of graduate school at Queens College... my master's degree is definitely being done slowly and on a very part-time basis. This is because A- I am working fulltime at a very busy branch of my library system and B- my commute to school is long and therefore as much energy gets expended on the commute as does on the actual class (if not more), leading to not being able to take too many classes per semester. Plus, I think I am devoted to the quality vs. quantity model --- having achieved an A+ in every class but for one (in that one class i earned just an ordinary A) ;)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">This semester I am taking one class, which is actually an internship at an academic library (in the instructional services department). Basically this means that I am paying about 1000 bucks (including fees etc) for the privilege of working for them. But seriously, this experience of interning has started off well, and I am learning a lot about how academic libraries (or at least this one) function/functions. Academic libraries are so different than publics in so many ways, i cannot begin to enumerate them here... but maybe i'll start keeping a running list for myself--- something good to put into my journal for my internship, eh? (ya, part of the internship class is to keep a detailed journal)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">what else? Work is the center of my life right now, so I'll go into some details about what's occupying me these days...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Here's one reason I really enjoy my work at the public library: Last fall this one wonderful teen, "D", kept bugging me about starting a creative writing workshop at my branch. I told her i was skeptical and that prolly teens wouldn't come. But she pollyanna'ed me into doing it, and we launched the workshop in early December. I am proud to say that "D" has soundly proven my pessimistic ass wrong -- we have averaged about 8 teens per class since then. (the numbers range from a high of 14 to a nadir of 5). While I cannot say that I know exactly what I'm doing leading a writing a workshop (!!!), I will say that I absolutely love it, every aspect. The interacting with the "teens" is my favorite part. (attendees range from ages 12 to 18... with one anomaly of a 23 year old who is in between college and grad school and needs an outlet for her energy and creativity.) On a weekly basis they blow me away with their writing and their spirit... and their generosity and perspicacity when giving each other honest feedback on their work. While we have a limited time together due to scheduling difficulties, we squeeze the most juice out of that time as possible and inhale the rinds until the next time we can meet. To say that these teens have made life interesting would be a dull understatement. To say that they make my life worth living, and Wednesdays my most-looked-forward-to day of the week, might be maudlin, not to mention cliché , but that would be a bit more, um, accurate.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Another activity I enjoy immensely at work, in a similar way, is running the Arts and Crafts programs on Tuesdays at the same branch. The kids are younger and sweeter and more rambunctious and messy than the teens, but I enjoy them all. So far we have made a myriad projects together, but some that come to mind are-- a wall of snowflakes, sorcerer turkeys (don't ask), paper beads, mosaics, and sparkly pipe cleaner christmas trees with bead ornaments. Tuesday afternoons for me are a whirl of white school glue, construction paper, safety scissors, lanyards, pony beads, manila paper (remember that stuff from school?), and googly eyes, not to mention moving around furniture in the meeting room. And kids. Kids galore, of every age from 3 to 13. And, sometimes, their mommies. :-) Sometimes I have over 20 people who come to an arts and crafts program!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Moving on to less rambunctious yet equally though differently enjoyable work endeavors -- This January I became a mentor to two high school aged interns at my branch. they are interning at my library as part of an IMLS funded grant to start a teen internship program intended to introduce high achieving low-income youth to library work. The idea is to cultivate future librarians as well as to serve the multicultural, multilingual communities of our city. Can I just say that I adore the two interns who have been housed at my branch to pieces. "X" is a shy yet at times loud, sensitive, EXTREMELY well read, 2nd gen Chinese american, oldest child of a family of four children who takes great care of her kg attending brother and younger sisters, responsible, wise beyond her years, junior in high school. "Y" is a soft-spoken, high achieving, thoughtful, artsy, innovative, gentle, loved-by-little-kids-as-older-sister-figure, Pakistani-American, senior in high school. They are teaching me as much as I am trying or hoping to teach them. And, on a lighter note, I love feeding them chocolate, as it satisfies the spoil-the-kids urge within me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Another experience I've been having at work that I might not have mentioned is that once a week I have a rotation within the library system. As my title is officially Librarian Trainee, they allow me to go, once a week, to another division of the library and take part in projects and work there as a staff member... for the past almost one year, I have been stationed at the education and job center at the main branch. There I have done everything from put together resource lists on </span><span style="color: black;">topics like searching for green jobs and business opportunities and </span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;">Internet resources for high education</span><span style="color: black;"> to working at the reference desk (very different from reference desking at the branch) to observing resume and interview workshops. I have also worked on building a wiki for the department to use internally (hosted on pbworks.com) as well as successfully advocated for a dedicated job information blog/discussion link on our library's intranet. Plus my supervisors there have been incredibly supportive and kind and enthusiastic and I cannot tell you how motivating and invigorating that is.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">What else? I have managed to do some fun things too, of late. Some things that come to mind are:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: black;"> getting back into dance this past fall with an 8 week bharata natyam workshop with </span><a href="http://www.parijatdesai.org/">Parijat Desai</a><span style="color: black;">, who is an amazing teacher as well as a warm wonderful person and activist. I hope to do this again soon!</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> a snow hike with my friend <a href="http://www.malinisrinivasan.com/homepage.swf">Malini</a><span style="color: black;"> (also a dancer) up at </span><a href="http://www.lakeminnewaska.org/">Minnewaska State Park Preserve</a><span style="color: black;"> back in January.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> <span style="color: black;">a wonderful visit to Boston on Valentines day weekend to spend time with </span><a href="http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/author.asp?author_ID=352">Smitha</a>, <a href="http://purpleganesh.com/">Ganesh </a><span style="color: black;">and darling baby M----- - just 7 months old, in addition to many antics to make the baby laugh her deep gravelly old lady laugh, I also had the opportunity to sneak in a dance class with Smitha as teacher as well as a viewing of </span><a href="http://www.mynameiskhanthefilm.com/">My Name is Khan</a><span style="color: black;"> -- awesome NRI Bollywood movie that instead of examining what does it mean to be Indian in America, for the first time explores what does it mean to be an American.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: black;"> not to forget a major highlight of December-- over winter holidays i got to bake and decorate cookies with my favorite Ohio nieces, M---- and S---, which was incredibly fun and relaxing. And catching up with their parents, Pranav and Myth wasn't too shabby either. ;-)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: black;"> Another fun experience has been to housesit at my parents place while they were away, and spend time with my sister at their place. I baked <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Aunt-Hollys-Banana-Bread-239027">banana bread</a> for her despite her protests of too many calories, and in turn she dragged me to her luxurious gym as her special guest. I must say, the sauna was definitely my favorite part... (thanks H!)</span></li>
</ul>
</div>whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-61514425427242574772009-12-21T12:26:00.000-08:002009-12-21T12:27:11.484-08:00link to an old podcast with my dad...blast from the past<br /><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://podbazaar.castmetrix.net/assets/emff.swf" width="275" height="60"><param name="movie" value="http://podbazaar.castmetrix.net/assets/emff.swf"/><param name="FlashVars" value="src=http://podbazaar.castmetrix.net/podcast/144115188075856117/1/WhatmakesaGhazal.mp3&autostart=no&streaming=yes"/><param name="quality" value="high"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"/><embed src="http://podbazaar.castmetrix.net/assets/emff.swf" flashvars="src=http://podbazaar.castmetrix.net/podcast/144115188075856117/1/WhatmakesaGhazal.mp3&autostart=no&streaming=yes" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="275" height="60"> </embed></object>whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-59793499359904470992009-07-26T03:32:00.000-07:002009-07-26T03:51:48.878-07:00In India and loving it!So far I've been in New Delhi for three days, Ahmedabad for 3 days... In that time, I met up with and visited the following people/places:<br /><br />Delhi People<br /><ul><li>The Sethi Family<br /></li><li>Ravikant at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.sarai.net/">Sarai</a></li><li>Ravi Gulati at <a href="http://manzil.in/">Manzil</a></li></ul>Delhi Places<br /><ul><li><a href="http://nationalcraftsmuseum.nic.in/about_Museum.htm">Crafts Museum</a></li><li><a href="http://ngmaindia.gov.in/" class="l" onmousedown="return clk(this.href,'','','res','1','')" title="National Gallery Of Modern Art"><em></em>National Gallery Of Modern Art<em></em></a></li><li><a href="http://maps.google.co.in/maps?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=kala+art+gallery+delhi&fb=1&split=1&gl=in&view=text&latlng=12381587493993555251" class="l" onmousedown="return clk(this.href,'','','res','2','')" title="Triveni Art Gallery">Triveni Art Gallery<em></em></a><cite><br /></cite></li></ul>Ahmedabad People<br /><ul><li>the Pandit family</li><li>Kalpash Dalal from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.aavishkarfolkdances.org/">Aavishkar Academy of Performing Arts</a></li><li>Madhusudan from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.aavishkarfolkdances.org/">MAM movies</a></li><li>Charvee</li><li>Binay</li></ul><br />Ahmedabad Places<br /><ul><li>Gujarat Vidyapith</li><li>Gandhi Ashram</li><li>Manav Sadhna</li><li>Crosswords Bookstore</li><li>Seva Cafe</li></ul>more to come soon....whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-78466617452002850302009-07-21T00:53:00.000-07:002009-07-29T01:11:44.336-07:001st day in IndiaFor the first day, I mostly (and unashamedly) relaxed... Went to a local beauty parlor with Seema... I think it was called Hair We Are... and there we were, treated to an ever so relaxing oil head massage... Quite decadent and reviving after the 14+ hour trip from Newark the previous night.<br /><br />Later that evening we went out to dinner... for<a href="http://www.tolmolbol.com/listing/New-Delhi/Food-Restaurants/Pubs-Bars-Lounges/Ai/1/4qd2gsi61a71jmo1.html"> sushi at Ai</a>. Quite a unique experience... for example the starters were dumplings wrapped in edible rice paper... Even though I gamely ate it, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was eating paper. But the rest of the food was delicious. Especially the soups, the noodles and the mango/avocado rolls (what's not to love about my favorite fruit and favorite vegetable rolled into one!?)<br /><br />But what's with this new phenomenon of restaurants in exclusive shopping malls?<br />In my opinion it takes away from the charm of being in India... One could be anywhere in the world (except for the fact that I've never seen a high-end restaurant in a shopping mall in the U.S.) I guess it's one way to "keep the riff-raff out." Ah well... will have v. different experiences throughout this trip and this is but one.whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10176523.post-64348635185908845212009-07-20T00:50:00.000-07:002009-07-29T00:53:24.290-07:00Arrival in IndiaMonday July 20th, I arrived in the evening and was wheeled into and out of the airport due to my broken toe. As a friend pointed out over email, a broken toe is "good for something, after all."<br /><br />Was whisked thereafter to friends' Seema and Ajay's place where was lavished with warm attention. Got to see their kids Pal and Pri all grown up and tall. To lean on the much worn cliche, my how time does fly!whyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564304393701476738noreply@blogger.com0