I would write about

(1) The great women’s history talk I saw on Thursday.

(2) The two movies I saw this weekend and the experiences of sitting in a NYC theatre.

(3) My obligatory monthly book post which is now half a month late.

(4) My recent trip to TX.

And a whole variety of other things. But I’m getting on a plane to go here in a few hours.

OK look out for the random post…

Some things I wanted to mention:

(1) I’m taking a memoir writing class at the Gotham Writer’s Workshop. It’s an online class. Its the first online class I’ve ever taken. I like it so far because its giving me a chance to write memoir, something that I think is beneficial for every writer to be able to do. And by writer I mean journalist, novelist, short storiest (I know not a word), and so forth.

My only problem with it is that I keep forgetting about and I have to assign myself a dozen google reminders to turn in assignments. There is nothing like going to a physical classroom that makes me get my work DONE.

(2) Perhaps this is here nor there. But it simultaneously appalls and amuses me that this exists

From the Coronado Naval base near San Diego, CA.

Full LATimes article about the shenanigans.

(3) This February, I am going with my mom and some of her friends to Patagonia. Yes, its more than a clothing company.

Its the Southern most tip of Argentina and Chile. We’re going for two whole weeks and I’m very, very excited. This means (a) two new countries (b) a new continent (c) an excuse to beef up on my Spanish (d) a chance to learn more about South America in a historical light.

Last weekend, I was in the middle of the Midwest on a business trip when my husband joined me for the weekend. He had a novel idea that I wish I would have thought of. However, the idea is even better coming from him, as there is nothing like hearing the person you love want to do something he or she knew you would love to do.

He suggested visting an AMISH SETTLEMENT!

What more would I love then going to visit a community that adheres to what we modern folk commonly consider crazy religious principles!!?!? Um nothing!

So, we decided to drive to Arthur, IL. After a few hours, we arrived and were soon both gawking at the buggys and horses.

But then I decided to stop gawking and start examining all of the cultural implications of these different, religious societies side by side.

Whenever, I go back to my hometown, I notice all the churches that have popped up over the years. I have always struggled to know the fundemental difference between each of these churches. I’ve asked family and friends who are and are not members of these religious institutions but there is no one answer that I have found satisfying enough.

Going into the Amish communities, I assumed that all I’d be seeing are Amish places of worship. I was wrong. I forgot all about the Mennonite settlements. The Mennonite churches were much more prominent than Amish ones. And there were books about Mennonite people in all of the little shops.

Prairie Mennonite Church

In addition to the Mennonite Church, we also saw a Southern Baptist Church and a Zion United Church of Christ.

Zion United Church of Christ

I couldn’t help but wonder what it is like for Amish and Mennonite people to live aside people who wear their religion on their sleeve. One could argue that the Amish and Mennonite communities do make everyone aware of their religious status through their style of clothing, family roles, ways of practicing religious customs and shunning certain aspects of modernity. But these are people who strive to live life simply not ostentatiously.

This sign from the Southern Baptist Church felt out of place amongst all the friendly men and women who greeted my husband and I wherever we went in Arthur.

No one can say that some church signs don’t attempt to be creative with wording. I wondered if the language offended the Amish and Mennonites but assumed if most of the people riding in the buggys and in their yard would wave at my husband and me in our our rented Jeep Liberty, that they didn’t really care about the Southern Baptists.

Our day trip also got me thinking about a research project: a historical look at religion in Illinois. There is a lot going on there religious wise from the Amish and Mennonites to Joseph Smith and Mormons in Nauvoo.

From the wikipedia page for Illinois:

With a mixture of factory and farm, urban and rural, Illinois is a microcosm of the United States; an Associated Press analysis of 21 demographic factors determined Illinois was the “most average state.”^[6]

I wonder what the religious experience is for the average citizen in the “most average state.” After Saturday’s trip, I know there is a lot of stories and research to sink my teeth into.

(On a side note, I found the perfect gift for my mother. I cannot name the sort of shop we went to for it would give the gift away. But the lovely Mennonite (I think) woman named Wilma who rang me up didn’t blink twice when I asked if they took debit cards. She also asked for me to input my pin number with the slightest ease. Several of my preconceived notions were put to bed that day!)

Canadian National Tower
Toronto, Ontario

I really want to write about this article, Film loses its feminine touch (via the LATimes), but I don’t have the time.

Because I have to leave for the airport in an hour. I just spilled soda on my shirt AND I need a toothbrush.

Awesome.

PS I saw September Dawn and yes that deserves its own post too!

Scenic overlook of city, in New Jersey

Last weekend, my husband and I fled the city for a day. We had joined zipcar last month when we had to go to an engagement party in Connecticut. At first, I was hesitant to be seen behind the wheel of a vehicle with zipcar stickers all over it. But when the desire starts up to get the hell out of Manhattan, then you don’t care what you’re seen in. Seriously.

We headed out north and crossed the GW bridge headed toward a beautiful state park in Rockland county. We lounged near a lake for awhile then headed for Rye Beach in Westchester county across the state. The water there looked very dirty and I didn’t wander that far in. However, it was nice to lay on a beach and read a magazine. Everywhere we went, we kept running into people that were obviously from the city having a good time. No matter how far you travel from NYC in the tri state area, you’re never that far away. Even New Yorkers like me and my husband, who are intent on getting a fresh of breath air from the city, stop to take a picture of it from the scenic overlook (pictured above).

When we returned to the city that night, I decided to watch a bunch of bad tv about serial killers and such (48 hours). When the news came on, the weatherman kept talking about how “nice” the weather was that day. While I was annoyed at his lack of creative vocabulary, I couldn’t agree more.

It was a NICE day!

This seagull at Rye also thinks its nice out!

I flew from JFK to Hell or Heathrow and my bag didn’t end up with me.  Its stuck in London!!! I sat on the runway at JFK for two hours extra.  I had a three hour layover which is the minimum you need to deal with the labyrinth that is Hell or Heathrow.  Instead I got an hour!  Wooo! Of course the airline I was on only has one plane a day to my destination, so I get it tomorrow by like 2 pm.

LESSON LEARNED! When traveling internationally (or anywhere) by plane, carry a change of clothes with you!

This from a girl who carries her toothbrush, toothpaste (less than 2.0 oz please I know my stuff!), a change of shirt and underwear but no pants or anything else that can constitute a whole new outfit.  Because after flying for 12 hours, who wants to hang out in their travel grub (black stretch pants or “lounge pants” and a shirt that looks like a nightgown)??? Also I looked like a lunatic running across Heathrow, bag in hand, laptop in hand, passport and ticket under my arm, and oh yeah my sweater in the other. I was so frazzled by the time I got to my gate, after being screened for security twice, being told I could only have one carry on bag on the plane meaning I had to squeeze my purse into my tote bag, that I wans’t so concerned about my appearance.

But now I am.  I went out and bought some French clothes in a mall that had Gucci, Burberry etc but I went for the way cheaper option…Etam! Thank God for that store…seriously.  I’d either be sitting in my room in a robe or wandering around in a weird leopard print Gucci outfit with no money because I spent it all.

OK I’m rambling and tired!

This is–oh–a month late but what can you do…

Our trip to Paris

April 14

MY husband and I arrive in the city of lights and promptly collapse in our Montmarte hotel after wondering the Tulleries for a few hours.

That night we went out for dinner and split this amazing creme brulee.

YUMMY! 

Then we went by Notre Dame

and took a trip to the famous Shakespeare & Company bookstore 

April 15

We took a stroll to the Eiffel Tower and took some pictures from a bridge.

We also went to the  Musee d’Art moderne de la ville de Paris which I highly recommend not only because I’m a huge modern art fan but it was free. We didn’t know that until we got there.

April 16

We found ourselves at the Musee Picasso but the best part of the day was finding the perfect little cafe hidden away on a small street.

April 17

We found our way to the Musee Marmottan Monet which has the largest collections of Monet paintings.  I’m surprised I had never heard of this museum before considering I’ve been to Paris several times and it has the works of such a famous painter.

I also learned about two famous impressionist female painters, Berthe Marisot.  I don’t know much about this period of art or female artists, so I was pleasantly surprised to learn so much.
April 18 

We took  a day trip to the beautiful medieval city of Chartres.  Having been to several cathedrals from the middles ages, I have to admit this was one of the most well-preserved ones.  In addition, I also felt as though I was in a very spiritual place not a feeling I’ve gotten when i have visited other famous cathedrals.

Inside the Cathedral

Later I went to the stained glass museum there which was absolutely breathtaking.  I was the only one in the museum for a long time.

Stain glass from the cathedral

April 19

The husband went to the Musee d’Orsay and I went shopping!

We also went to see the film Shooter in french.  That movie deserves a whole other post.

We found ourselves back around the Eiffel Tower that night.

April 20

We spent our last day at the Musee Rodin….THINKING! Muhahahah.

April 21 

We returned home to New York.