Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts

It was all yellow.

I can't believe it's 2014 and I have unpublished blogs. I start writing, but can never complete the thought. It's as if I get to a point where my mind decides it doesn't want to feed me more words, more wit, more thoughts to put down.

It's 2014, and I'm looking to change that. I'm looking to change several things in my life. It's time to make things happen and not just think about the fact that it needs to be done or that I want it to be done. No more being idle. No more watching and waiting.

My turn to rise up!

2013 was pleasant and filled with travels for me and my beloved. Over the summer, we joined 12 others for an adventure in a strange house in the woods with no internet.

Only two (2) hours outside of D.C. is a house unlike any other that I've seen. I never thought I would come across a place like Brewhouse Mountain Eco-Inn in York Haven, PA.

It was in July when a group of youthful, free souls joined together for some fun over the hot summer weekend. It was magnificently detailed and clearly someone's treasure.

Brewhouse Wall of Beer Cans - view from upstairs hallway
Image by Neha Gautam
We arrived on a dark and stormy night (literally lol), but our curiosity loomed. With 12 others eagerly prepared to explore our new haus for the weekend, it was just us and the woods away from the rest of the world.

There were figurines and odd statues from the mid-1900s and more importantly, the walls were lined up with containers of beer in all sizes–kegs and cans–from the past century (possibly more).


Figurines - Elvis Presley, vintage Budweiser can, and Jesus
Image by Neha Gautam













Each room had its own theme based on the cans in the room; there was the Pacific, Germany, America, and Africa and EurAsia. Every element of the house and every single room was unique and well organized/planned. I slept in the bright and beautiful Scandinavian/Swedish Room.

Brewhouse Wall of Beer Cans
Image by Neha Gautam

We had fun; partied in the game room with strobe lights; drink skippy; went hiking; and made it a weekend to remember. I would do it all over...perhaps in a new house with the same people... just for different stories.

...

Fast forward to November with the autumn season slipping away, and the adventure continued in Pennsylvania to Philly.

It was my second time to Philly–if 1 unplanned overnight for American Idol auditions at 16 counts (itinerary was pretty strict)–and I was pretty excited. My boyfriend and I made it a trip right before the Thanksgiving holiday.



I was eager to explore the streets of brotherly love and see what one of America's favorite cities had to offer. It was also another opportunity to have a mini-road trip and see some friends.

We walked around the city from South Street through Old city, until we were in Southwest Philly overlooking a view of Camden. Beautiful sight.
The city, that is. The streets were filled with expressions of art, theatres, and busy people. We made it to Isaiah Zagar's art museum, Philadelphia Magic Gardens; and a magical place it is. The museum is a collection of amazing mosaic art all placed together in a crazy, poetic way—on the walls, floors, portraits, chairs, and random streets throughout the city—if it's there, it has been Zagar'd. There is so much to see that it is impossible to catch everything. Our friend and Philadelphia resident says it's her favorite place to go and she discovers something new every time. The best part about the art there is that it is constantly changing and new exhibits are being added.

I believe it.
Photo courtesy of J.G.
Of course, we tried a recommended cheesesteak at Jim's Steaks on 4th and South Street. Splendid and delicious, it was! Perfect way to start the day before heading back to DC.


Philly–I liked it. I felt the love. I felt good vibes all around. I would do it again and maybe again. It's nice to go into a new city or a new place in general. It feels good to start fresh .


Welcome, 2014.
, I'm ready.


Next stop: Las Vegas, Nevada
http://bit.ly/1cDs6XM

It's better to Know than to Wonder

Take every experience as a new start. Trust your judgment.

Classes started on the 25th of July, and things are starting to get REAL. I really needed to get a job  in order to afford an Australian lifestyle for basic survival ($10-20/ avg. meal). So, I did at AegisDirect; and with many benefits. Essentially, I love my job. The atmosphere is great, as are the people. One point on the chart for Oz.

It took some time, but my schedule has been perfected. I'm taking four (4) courses/subjects:
  • Television and Popular Culture  - watch classic and modern TV shows that shape what we watch today and talk about it
  • Self and Other - psycho-social-political aspect of the relationship between Me and You and Everyone We Know
  • New Media and Future Technologies - we talk about the internet; new media vs. old media
  • Human Rights and Global Justice - talk about refugees; asylum seekers; and their rights to self-determination in political, medical, legal, social, and cultural aspects...interesting

My  group of friends at the Uni has grown. I've met several more Europeans and made some good friends from India (yup, we're staying away from most of the Americans around). To say the least, I may have found my "niche" with an excellent crowd (age 23.24.25); where my days and nights are usually long. We all contribute our own thing to the group and we have different outlooks on many things, but we always have fun. We go out and have fun; but with a touch of class. Home cooked  dinner (most of the time)and wine have become weeknight specials. Kindof like a family. One of my Italian friends (Arianna, from the hostel and Uni) made the most amazing tiramisu I've ever had. It was so good, I thought I'd take a picture so it could last longer…



I'm still curious about where all the Australians are -- or is that just me?
  
I also went to my first Aussie Rules Football (AFL) game - Collingwood versus Brisbane Lions. It took 5 minutes into the game to realize that I did NOT like/care about footy. Collingwood had already scored a point and I didn't understand why we needed to know how many 6-point and 1-point points were scored, separate from the total score...and I didn't see where the quarter/game time was, but that could be based on my inability to pay attention to the field after those first 5 minutes. Instead, my attention went to asking questions about the game and anything I didn't understand (sorry to the people who actually wanted to "enjoy" the game). Luckily (kindof), my friend and I were saved from 2 hours of boredom when our friend got kicked out for bringing outside beer into the stadium. I'm sure he was upset, but it was the perfect excuse to leave.
 
Too much has happened within the past few weeks. I was in a 24 hour musical where a show was written, produced, rehearsed, and performed within 24 hours. That means writers came together at 7PM the night before and we came in at 9AM to learn the script and music written specifically for the Mudfest 24 Hour Musical. I think it was quite a success. (SCENE: 1960s, Catholic school girls, abortion, acid trips, and grades becoming a determinant of the future).



On another note, any previous short-term 'like-affairs' mentioned in the past are now over. I've met a lot of guys since I've been here. None of them have made it very far because, of course, you need both physics and chemistry. It's funny because I've made good friends based on great chemistry and no physics. As expected, anything based solely on physics probably isn't worth my time.

Onto the next one....next: ROADTRIP TO SYDNEY 2011 ...of course there are stories ;)

The Things You Do


When a mother's  heart has been broken one too many times by the children she loves, you learn to take one for the team. No matter how much it does not seem like a good idea, you make it work; for old times sake. You never know when you'll get another opportunity to create memories  that will last a lifetime or another family vacation.

So this, I bring to you: My 'Summer 2011 Travels.'


[And that's how you let the beat build]

P.S. You do it most importantly for love