Thank you for sharing your plane ride with me today! Isn't it funny how open and accommodating we all become when we're crammed up in small and uncomfortable quarters with the most stranger of the strangers out there?
If you don't believe that we as human beings long for connections and human interaction and belonging, then you really haven't sat next to anyone on a plane! It's amazing what we allow ourselves to share for the few little hours of our lives that we share with one another. Now granted, this can be a dangerous thing, but come on, go bungee jumping, live a little! Take a leap!
I've met some of the nicest people on planes and it really makes me put a little more hope in the human race when I do. There's so many people out there who don't give a d*mn about you and me and it's all me me me, but honestly, I like to think that's a small minority, and when I complete a plane ride as I did today, I am uplifted with a bit of hope.
So to John and Elaine from Jersey, thanks for the ride, I hope I was as much of a joy to your flight as you were to mine!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
We all make our order
It’s funny how peoples’ minds work isn’t it? Take my own, my mind seems to make memories based on smells, tastes, and vehicles. Sometimes, I remember someone’s face by remembering the car they used to drive, but more often than not, it seems to come in that order, car, then face. A lot of times, it’s the same with events and faces when I’m eating. They say your memory is really linked to your sense of smell and it’s really true for me. Food, then faces.
So think how odd to me that this past week I spent in New Jersey and New York, working, eating. Food, work, then faces. I’ve been absolutely ecstatic that I was able to get reservations at Babbo Italian Restaurant, Mario Batali’s restaurant. It takes a month in advance at least, to get reservations and luckily this time around, I was able to plan things out to get those reservations. In fact, this time around, I had enough advance notice to actually put together a small group to eat with that was not just limited to coworkers that were with me on the trip. Faces, food.
Therein lies the oddity. For all intents and purposes, I should have been absolutely ready, prepared to immerse myself in this wonderful food, prepared with deliberation and intent for the sole purpose of eating and yes, entertaining me and my friends. But I have to say, the food wasn’t the highlight, I didn’t even THINK to bring out my camera to take pictures until almost the end of the meal, and did not stay the conversation to expressly enjoy the food itself. No, the conversation and fun, flowed just as evenly as the 9 wonderful courses made their way out to us, and in fact, overwhelmed the experience and makes me sit back now thinking. This was an experience! Gastronomical, yes, but social, and utterly enjoyable. 2 hours, 2 bottles, 9 courses, 3 unrelated, but completely open and enjoyable guests at the table. THIS is how we should all experience our meals, this is how we should break bread and enjoy people. So simple! Beautiful food, wonderful company, and truly, the time to enjoy it all. If only all our meals could be enjoyed as such! Faces, voices, food.
So think how odd to me that this past week I spent in New Jersey and New York, working, eating. Food, work, then faces. I’ve been absolutely ecstatic that I was able to get reservations at Babbo Italian Restaurant, Mario Batali’s restaurant. It takes a month in advance at least, to get reservations and luckily this time around, I was able to plan things out to get those reservations. In fact, this time around, I had enough advance notice to actually put together a small group to eat with that was not just limited to coworkers that were with me on the trip. Faces, food.
Therein lies the oddity. For all intents and purposes, I should have been absolutely ready, prepared to immerse myself in this wonderful food, prepared with deliberation and intent for the sole purpose of eating and yes, entertaining me and my friends. But I have to say, the food wasn’t the highlight, I didn’t even THINK to bring out my camera to take pictures until almost the end of the meal, and did not stay the conversation to expressly enjoy the food itself. No, the conversation and fun, flowed just as evenly as the 9 wonderful courses made their way out to us, and in fact, overwhelmed the experience and makes me sit back now thinking. This was an experience! Gastronomical, yes, but social, and utterly enjoyable. 2 hours, 2 bottles, 9 courses, 3 unrelated, but completely open and enjoyable guests at the table. THIS is how we should all experience our meals, this is how we should break bread and enjoy people. So simple! Beautiful food, wonderful company, and truly, the time to enjoy it all. If only all our meals could be enjoyed as such! Faces, voices, food.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Extraordinary
I am absolutely flabbergasted that every day I am presented with someone in my life - friend, family, stranger - that is absolutely extraordinary in some way, shape, or form. Seriously. I am surrounded by the most amazing and interesting people. I may not realize it at the time, but reflection makes my eyes see what I may not have in the moment.
Let's all fine-tune our senses and find the extraordinary in others 'in the moment' so that we can reflect on how lucky we are to live this life.
Let's all fine-tune our senses and find the extraordinary in others 'in the moment' so that we can reflect on how lucky we are to live this life.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Wake up in the morning
So every morning I'm woken by the sounds of Christian radio (KSBJ) via my alarm clock. Some mornings I wake up early enough to catch Dr. James C. Dobson and his Focus on the Family talkshow. I don't always necessarily listen full-ear to the ground when it comes up (I just woke up!), but today I woke up to him reading something.
It wasn't his voice that made me perk up, but what he was reading. I just sat, completely wrapped up in the words that felt like they were flowing from the author herself - Dr. Dobson's mother. It was a letter, a love letter in fact, to her husband who had just passed at the time. The words were absolutely heart-wrenching and left me in an almost grief-stricken state as I sat and pondered what had happened. The short of it? I think one line I remember sums it up best - "we became me."
It wasn't the eloquence that made me rapt to listen, but the simplicity of her letter - not in the simplicity of the words, but the raw, basic emotions that they were written from. It's like a single string in a cacophony of sounds that becomes bold and strong, different from the others around it.
This was truly love in the greatest and simplest form and I hope that we all get a chance to experience it.
It wasn't his voice that made me perk up, but what he was reading. I just sat, completely wrapped up in the words that felt like they were flowing from the author herself - Dr. Dobson's mother. It was a letter, a love letter in fact, to her husband who had just passed at the time. The words were absolutely heart-wrenching and left me in an almost grief-stricken state as I sat and pondered what had happened. The short of it? I think one line I remember sums it up best - "we became me."
It wasn't the eloquence that made me rapt to listen, but the simplicity of her letter - not in the simplicity of the words, but the raw, basic emotions that they were written from. It's like a single string in a cacophony of sounds that becomes bold and strong, different from the others around it.
This was truly love in the greatest and simplest form and I hope that we all get a chance to experience it.
Monday, May 4, 2009
sorry for the reference
So I watch 'How I Met Your Mother' pretty religiously and today's episode struck a chord. I'll just post a short transcript:
"...The great moments of your life won't necessarily be the things you do, they'll also be the things that happen to you. Now I'm not saying you can't take action to affect the outcome of your life, you have to take action, and you will. But never forget, that on any day, you can step out the front door, and your whole life can change forever. You see the universe has a plan, kids, and that plan is always in motion. A butterfly flaps its wings and it starts to rain. It's a scary thought, but it's also kind of wonderful; all these little parts of the machine, constantly working, making sure that you end up exactly where you're supposed to be, exactly when you're supposed to be there. The right place, at the right time. "
maybe we all need to take a lesson sometimes
"...The great moments of your life won't necessarily be the things you do, they'll also be the things that happen to you. Now I'm not saying you can't take action to affect the outcome of your life, you have to take action, and you will. But never forget, that on any day, you can step out the front door, and your whole life can change forever. You see the universe has a plan, kids, and that plan is always in motion. A butterfly flaps its wings and it starts to rain. It's a scary thought, but it's also kind of wonderful; all these little parts of the machine, constantly working, making sure that you end up exactly where you're supposed to be, exactly when you're supposed to be there. The right place, at the right time. "
maybe we all need to take a lesson sometimes
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter and the rest of the Triduum
So I had a pretty darn good Triduum this year! This is I believe, one of the first years that I actually attended all three days of the Triduum, all really due to the fact that I sing in the choir at my local church.
I have to say, I don't remember being so moved in previous years, but each day had it's moment when I actually got a little choked up thinking about what we were doing and what was truly happening ...
Holy Thursday. As I sat there during mass, I remember thinking of all the other times that I had been in a mass and actually taken part in the washing of the feet. I actually do remember taking part in it back for a couple of years at the University Catohlic Center in Austin. I want to even say that I did it the first year I was there and we were still in the 'old' building. wow. That was a while back.
At this church though, they don't invite the whole congregation to take part, but ask a few folks who have truly given so much to the church in the past year to come up and not only get their own feet washed, but wash others'. as I have done for you...
This year, as I sang during this part, I sat and watched and lost myself from time to time in that simple act, somehow we linked back and it was as if the past and the present were all there in one action and my mind just raced thinking that this, this was what Jesus did, knowing that he would die. How many of us can give up ourselves in humility like that...
Good Friday. I decided not to go to the 3pm at my local church as I was dead tired after work and everything so I decided to join some of my good friends at St. Clare of Assisi's 7pm. What a beautiful ceremony! I DEFINITELY remember going to Good Friday masses in my college days. I remember vividly placing nails at the foot of the cross, bending my whole body down in veneration and just praying. I remember vividly placing rose petals, kissing the wood and just laying there. This year, I came up, knelt on both knees and tried my best to brush the bottom most part of the cross. I just didn't feel worthy enough to do much else.
Easter vigil. The big show. Here it came and I can't remember a more fun Easter mass that I had been to. We have a wonderful French Cajun priest at my local church who has no qualms letting the Holy Spirit come on out and keep things lively! The joy and the utter amazement in his words and actions are very apparent and it's fun to watch. period. After he blessed those newly inducted, he couldn't help himself and just burst forth, "I love doing that!" and I believed him!
The most poignant part though for me, was right before he asks each candidate, "do you wish to be baptized in the faith that you have just proclaimed?" It is SO different heard like this than when it's a child being baptized! do YOU wish it? Not, do you wish this child to, or anything else, it is YOU. It's a wholly personal decision that these people get to make in full knowing. how amazing! I can't lie, I was slightly jealous that they got to make that decision like that.
The congregation was so awesome too! After each person had been drenched in the waters, a great big 'AMEN' went through the crowd and then huge applause! These people were truly overjoyed to welcome their new brothers and sisters and it was SO good! And I remember the last gentleman, when the last pitcher of water was poured over his head, an older gentleman near me whom I can only believe was his father or father in law or something like that, bolt up straight out of his seat and clapped as if noone were watching. The pride in the simple, yet so joyous, act of deliberate, and knowing surrender was so evident in the father's actions, it was truly moving.
Easter morning. So I went to morning mass with my parents as I often do, but this year was ever more important as I cannot forget to spend time at church with the family on such an important day. Getting to take part in Easter mass with the 'rents is always joyful. What stuck out in my mind though, as I went to receive the cup, it was a familiar gentleman who offered it, and although it is a Korean church and he's white (and he offers the cup in Korean), he gave a welcoming smile as I came up, said in English, "The blood of Christ," as if saying to me, peace be with you, and it felt like going home again.
Then catch up with old friends and go home to spend lunch/dinner with the family. Good times for sure.
Hoping your Easter was as blessed and wonderful as my own.
I have to say, I don't remember being so moved in previous years, but each day had it's moment when I actually got a little choked up thinking about what we were doing and what was truly happening ...
Holy Thursday. As I sat there during mass, I remember thinking of all the other times that I had been in a mass and actually taken part in the washing of the feet. I actually do remember taking part in it back for a couple of years at the University Catohlic Center in Austin. I want to even say that I did it the first year I was there and we were still in the 'old' building. wow. That was a while back.
At this church though, they don't invite the whole congregation to take part, but ask a few folks who have truly given so much to the church in the past year to come up and not only get their own feet washed, but wash others'. as I have done for you...
This year, as I sang during this part, I sat and watched and lost myself from time to time in that simple act, somehow we linked back and it was as if the past and the present were all there in one action and my mind just raced thinking that this, this was what Jesus did, knowing that he would die. How many of us can give up ourselves in humility like that...
Good Friday. I decided not to go to the 3pm at my local church as I was dead tired after work and everything so I decided to join some of my good friends at St. Clare of Assisi's 7pm. What a beautiful ceremony! I DEFINITELY remember going to Good Friday masses in my college days. I remember vividly placing nails at the foot of the cross, bending my whole body down in veneration and just praying. I remember vividly placing rose petals, kissing the wood and just laying there. This year, I came up, knelt on both knees and tried my best to brush the bottom most part of the cross. I just didn't feel worthy enough to do much else.
Easter vigil. The big show. Here it came and I can't remember a more fun Easter mass that I had been to. We have a wonderful French Cajun priest at my local church who has no qualms letting the Holy Spirit come on out and keep things lively! The joy and the utter amazement in his words and actions are very apparent and it's fun to watch. period. After he blessed those newly inducted, he couldn't help himself and just burst forth, "I love doing that!" and I believed him!
The most poignant part though for me, was right before he asks each candidate, "do you wish to be baptized in the faith that you have just proclaimed?" It is SO different heard like this than when it's a child being baptized! do YOU wish it? Not, do you wish this child to, or anything else, it is YOU. It's a wholly personal decision that these people get to make in full knowing. how amazing! I can't lie, I was slightly jealous that they got to make that decision like that.
The congregation was so awesome too! After each person had been drenched in the waters, a great big 'AMEN' went through the crowd and then huge applause! These people were truly overjoyed to welcome their new brothers and sisters and it was SO good! And I remember the last gentleman, when the last pitcher of water was poured over his head, an older gentleman near me whom I can only believe was his father or father in law or something like that, bolt up straight out of his seat and clapped as if noone were watching. The pride in the simple, yet so joyous, act of deliberate, and knowing surrender was so evident in the father's actions, it was truly moving.
Easter morning. So I went to morning mass with my parents as I often do, but this year was ever more important as I cannot forget to spend time at church with the family on such an important day. Getting to take part in Easter mass with the 'rents is always joyful. What stuck out in my mind though, as I went to receive the cup, it was a familiar gentleman who offered it, and although it is a Korean church and he's white (and he offers the cup in Korean), he gave a welcoming smile as I came up, said in English, "The blood of Christ," as if saying to me, peace be with you, and it felt like going home again.
Then catch up with old friends and go home to spend lunch/dinner with the family. Good times for sure.
Hoping your Easter was as blessed and wonderful as my own.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Pictures
Not that there's a ton of you out there who read this, but I wanted to make sure I wrote it down so I can remember. In any case, new house and I need to start making it feel a little more homey, so I figured what better way than with pics of family and friends, right?
But I don't just want random pics, I guess that'd be ok for later, but I think I would really like to have pics of my family and friends either cooking or eating! How cool would that be to have a house full of pics of your friends and family doing what you love best, right?
So! If you happen to be reading this and have a pic of you, you and me, you and significant other, etc etc eating and/or cooking and you'd like to be in a frame in my house, let me know and send em my way!
But I don't just want random pics, I guess that'd be ok for later, but I think I would really like to have pics of my family and friends either cooking or eating! How cool would that be to have a house full of pics of your friends and family doing what you love best, right?
So! If you happen to be reading this and have a pic of you, you and me, you and significant other, etc etc eating and/or cooking and you'd like to be in a frame in my house, let me know and send em my way!
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