holidays 2007 – it’s a breeze

You’re taking time for yourself during this December. Right? – not spreading yourself thin, not spending more than you have. We all know the ease of buying power with credit cards. It’s a breeeze to get carried away when shopping – the Christmas music lends itself to merriment, and a desire to please, people are walking around in stores, and along the streets, with prettily wrapped purchases peeking out of shopping bags, store windows entice, entice, entice, and you begin to believe if you don’t buy, buy, buy, you’re a cheapskate. Don’t believe it. Debt is a burden. And when the holidays are over and the bills come, the feeling changes. You don’t want it to change. There are ways to enjoy the holidays and keep your shirt on your back. It’s neat to see mainstream magazine articles promoting an amazing holiday with simplicity as the guideline, and giving ideas about how to shop in a smart way while remaining stress free and happy. Let’s go for the meaningful, fun, full-of-laughter memories, and avoid any burdensome ones. Enjoy it all!

If credit card bills can be paid in the blink of an eye, Ho Ho Ho pamper yourself, family, friends, treat a few strangers to a scrumptious meal. Enjoy it all!

new york city and philadelphia

Do you need a reminder that the holidays are coming? Just teasing.

Philadelphia is a sweet, doable city. And the information collected at this time as I’m trying to learn about this city is not necessarily written in stone. For instance, someone said there are no movie theaters in center city. But, as I walked on Sansom Street in route to Petulia’s Folly, I happened upon the Roxy Theatre. I was delighted to see this very small theatre looking like it has lots of character. It’s showing three different movies. I’m not up on movies lately, however, this I know – one stars Will Smith, the other is narrated by Sean Penn and is about war (and our government), and I’ve completely forgotten what the third is about. No one wanting to know what’s playing there would be too enlighted by this description, but it’s a hint of what’s playing. www.petuliasfolly.com www.gophila.com

I was in Manhattan this past weekend. It’s crowded there! The tree at Rockefeller Center is dressed beautifully in blue and stops people in their tracks. Saks Fifth Avenue is so congested it’s hard to meander up any aisle, and people stand patiently in line waiting to see the holiday windows. At La Bergamote, 169 Ninth Avenue in Chelsea, I enjoyed a cup of coffee and a duck rillette on the best crusty, non-doughy bread. And at le Gamin, 183 Ninth Avenue, Sumi and I ate tasty salads and delicious soup. I’ve never seen Chelsea Market as busy as it was this past weekend. On Sunday baby Sophie and I walked around Chelsea for one hour. I wanted her to see the world, but, alas, she fell asleep on our way to Integral Market at 227 West 13th Street. After buying onions and celery at the market, we stopped off at Integral Yoga Bookstore to pick up their January & February 2008 catalog. It’s looking good. Check it out at: www.iyiny.org

Later in the day I caught a bus in Chinatown for $10.00 for the trip back to Philadelphia. It took 50 minutes to get out of the city, and a little less than 2 hours to get to Philly. I’ve got to say that it’s a fast and pleasant ride. There’s no stopping, so, before you know it, you’re in Philadelphia’s Chinatown. Anyone unable to get a reservation anywhere in NYC and wanting to visit NYC should try Philadelphia. I say this because people commute daily from Philly to Manhattan. And, if you catch a bus in NYC around 88 East Broadway, you’ll be back and forth in no time at all. Additionally, you’ll be able to enjoy both cities. There are many hotels and B&B places in Philadelphia. Hopefully, they’ll be a lovely room waiting for you. www.Apexbus.com www.2000coach.com
www.hellophiladelphia.com

on misspelling ophra

Alicia, thank you for noticing that I spelled Oprah’s name wrong. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but I did know something wasn’t quite right with my spelling of “Ophra.” It’s strange that the website came up even though I misspelled her name. I think I’ll remember from now on. It’s much easier than the way I spelled it. www.oprah.com

O Christmas Tree Brings the Warm & Fuzzy Feeling

Tonight we got our Christmas tree from Cranberry Tree Farm.  Michael is vacuuming the house right now so we can put it in the living room. Boy it is interesting how something like buying a big tree makes you get in the Christmas mood and feel the holidays are here. Just seeing the sales guy at the farm tie the tree up on the hood of the Jeep really made me happy.

I think it puts me back when I was a child and the wonderful feeling of Christmas and all the great things it brought. This year was special too because we took Sebastian to pick the tree out.  Even though he had no clue what was going on he was thrilled to run through the trees displayed and watch people picking their trees out. We took some great photos of him for posterity.  Something about his sweet innocence and true happiness just made the experience this year even better.  I can only imagine next year when we pick a tree out when he is 2 and half years old, how exciting that will be.  He even added the Christmas spirit to other tree shoppers.  One guy who appeared in his 20s was there with his family and particularly seemed to enjoy watching Sebastian have his first tree experience. That is the wonderous thing about children.

Last year we didn’t do the whole tree thing because we were traveling up to NY to spend it with Michael’s family and we thought it would just sit here wasted. So technically this is Sebastian’s first tree and first Christmas in our home in NC.  We are very excited and want to make it special. I know it really is for us since he has no idea what is going on. But he sure loves lights and seems to know there is definitely something different and special going on right now.

After the tree purchase we went straight to BJ wholesale club to buy lights to decorate the house and more ornaments. Sebastian was fascinated by the prelighted trees on display at the store. At this time in his life all he cares about is that there are neat lights everywhere. It is so interesting that simple lights just make him so happy. I really cherish this time because soon Christmas will be about what he wants from Santa – that will also be fun. www.bjs.com

Experiencing the setting up of Christmas time in our home and driving around and seeing lights displayed really reminds me of all the things I am grateful for… Health, Family, Job, Friends and that is really all that matters.  In the family we all have decided to not exchange gifits for each other but instead buy for the children. I think this is such a great way to really appreciate the holidays instead of racing around trying to decide what is the best gift for all the people on your list.

The best gift we can give each other is time and love and patience. All these things we have and so my wish list is complete. Happy holidays to everyone!

about certain emails

I’m seeing email warnings about not placing pocketbooks on restaurant tables because they collect huge amounts of bacteria from public places, e.g. the floor in a toilet stall. So, placing them on tables could “make us very sick.”

Okay, let’s continue with this line of thinking. There’s the ketchup bottle, mustard container, salt and pepper shaker, utensils and plates – where have all the hands been that have held these items? We touch the chair we’re sitting on, and the table we’re sitting at. How clean are they? We’ve probably grabbed doorknobs along the way to the restaurant, or in the restaurant after washing our hands, before we reach our table. Perhaps the person at the next table has sneezed or coughed in our direction. On and on we can go about the ways in which bacteria can reach us. Hmm, what else? Oh, yes, the bread that’s been going from table to table, and don’t forget, we don’t know what’s going on in the kitchen where our food is being prepared – shall we send an email warning people about all this, too?

The thing is that human beings have lived through the holocaust, war, destruction of homes by weather and fire, are born into horrible conditions,, etc., leaving them vulnerable and certainly not able to wash their hands. But they live to tell entertaining and inspiring stories, and are stronger from having had those experiences. This is our world and we can either go out and play in it or find one thing after another to ruin the day.

Want to drive yourself nuts? Keep reading emails that warn against this ‘n that in an attempt to bring us to a new level of fear. Meanwhile, the owners of companies whose products are in the market place – you know the products, antibacterial this, antibacterial that – are laughing all the way to the bank because once again, the public has bought into fear.

The wise ones have said that if something is true for one person, it should be true for everyone. Oftentimes people have had similar experiences, and only one person “gets sick.”

Though the thing about pocketbooks and hats on dining tables: – not esthetically pleasing.

******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* *******

“. . . Bacteria will not flourish destructively in an atmosphere into which they have not been “invited.” The calm, quiet, loving approach to life – at the same time backed by strong faith and belief in the essential goodness of human nature will prove to be the greatest mental-spiritual safeguard against any bacterial invasion.” ‘ Harry Douglas Smith, THE SECRET OF INSTANTANEOUS HEALING

“Perhaps one’s fear is of disease or germs. Then one should be fearless and undisturbed in a germ laden situation, and he would be immune. One can only contract germs while vibrating at the same rate as the germ, and fear drags men down to the level of the germ. Of course, the disease laden germ is the product of carnal mind, as all thought must objectify. Germs do not exist in the super conscious or divine mind, therefore, are the product of man’s “vain imagination. . . . Finally the army of the aliens is dissolved and dissipated because you do not give it your attention. You have starved the aliens out. Starve out the fear thoughts by not giving them your attention and acting your faith.” – Florence Scovel Shinn

 

 

an oprah show on hoarding

Alicia recorded an Oprah show about hoarding, and we watched it when I was in Raleigh. I wasn’t expecting it to be as interesting as it was. What was I thinking? If it’s on Oprah it’s interesting. This is the story of a couple; the woman is the hoarder, although her husband had a touch of hoarding in him, too. An organizational expert, Peter Walsh, went to the couple’s 3,000 square foot house with “a team of 6 professionals” to begin the process of removing the 75 tons of accumulated stuff. Peter said black mold was found “which can cause a variety of health problems.” Needless to say, watching the cleanup process was rather shocking, and the intereaction between the couple and Peter was interesting. I had no idea things could get so out of control in the life of a hoarder. www.oprah.com
Peter Walsh wrote a book, IT’S ALL TOO MUCH. He seems to be a compassionate, kind, and understanding person. And from the way he handled the 75 tons of stuff, it must be a good book. www.orgjunkie.com

Not long after the show I saw a book at a friend’s house titled LILLIAN TOO’S 168 WAYS TO DECLUTTER YOUR HOME. I copied a little part of it. Perhaps you’ll find it informative, especially if you’re a hoarder or know someone who is. I saw this on page 50-51: “Many people leave unpaid bills, unfiled letters, faxes, and other documents unattended to for weeks and even months. This sort of paper clutter languishing on desk tops, tables, and shelves, at home or at work, can be the source of much worry. The effect is subliminal, impinging on the subconscious mind and activating worry cells that may lead to migraines, stress, and tension. The physical body can be affected and so can the spirit.”
www.lillian-too.com

Whew! It was a good show.

gabriel cousens and diabetes….

If you have diabetes, or know anyone who does, run to the nearest news stand and pick up the November/December issue of Spirituality&Health Magazine. Gabriel Cousens, M.D. and Helen Ross, M.D. “cured” people in a 30-day retreat using raw foods. They did this at the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center in Patagonia, Arizona, a place having an excellent reputation – a place and person (Gabriel Cousens) David Wolfe highly recommends. Page 58 of the magazine says “. . . results of this diet were stunning: . . . . ” and “It’s not just diabetes,” says Dr. Cousens, “Everything went back to normal.” People rediscovered their happiness. www.spiritualityhealth.com and www.treeoflife.nu This is not an isolated case. The article goes on to say that he has “supervised the reversal of diabetes in dozens of patients, . . . .”

If, through the years, I hadn’t read of Gabriel Cousens and his solid reputation, I’d hesitate to post this. I’ve great faith in the raw food lifestyle, and know from first-hand experience the power of raw foods. There are people who have distain for this way of eating, but it’s like everything else in life, we make choices and sometimes we are very satisfied with the choices and at other times they’re simply not for us. Listening to opinions without having first-hand experience, however, hardly gives us the taste of the experience. When we first begin to change the way it’s always been for us, it’s tough going. The thrill is looking back to where we once were and thinking how ridiculous we were not to have seen how the choices we made were bringing us down. That’s the thrill, along with all the amazing things that occur in the process of getting to a better place.

The above information on diabetes is part of an article by Matthew Kenney, titled, The Chef Who Perfected Un-Cooking How this superstar chef became a devotee of raw veggies. Matthew Kenney is the creator of more than a dozen restaurants around the country. . . ” He trained in Italian kitchens, and went to the French Culinary Institute. His restaurant company “collapsed” after 11 September 200l,” and it was during this time of picking up the pieces and concentrating on getting “my mind and body back into good condition,” that he was introduced to a raw food restaurant. And you know what happened after that.

this hm quote for philadelphia

It’s a wonderful day in Philadelphia. I didn’t spend much time looking for an apartment in this city of so much to do. I walk down the street and people actually smile at strangers. Me! I find being next to the train station and hearing the trains pass is all right. I didn’t know until now that the street in front on my building comes alive after midnight. That’s okay. There aren’t many restaurants in this area, but there are a lot of museums and there’s Whole Foods www.wholefoodsmarket.com and Trader Joe’s www.traderjoes.com . The one restaurant that’s nearby is a very good one. It’s called Aya’s Cafe. I don’t prepare hummus because it’s good at Aya’s. I first thought Aya’s was better, but mine’s good just in a different way.! www.ayascafe.net . It takes only a few minutes to walk to Rittenhouse Square Park from where I live. And along the way I pass many shops that entice, lots of cafes that make a delicious cup of cappuccino, small shops that give a warm welcome when a customer enters. I’m going to find out which restaurant prepares the best campari drink www.campari.com . I’ve been drinking campari for a long time, and this I know, some places skimp with the campari and are generous with the club soda. I really like the shoes at Benjamin Lovell www.benjaminlovellshoes.com on 119 S. 18th Street. This is probably not a good thing. It’s still warm enough to absolutely enjoy being outside. Nice!
www.philly.com
www.philadelphia.com
www.library.phila.gov

“Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music – the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.” – Henry Miller

The Funk

Emi speaks: I think I have the funk! You know what I am talking about when the season changes from glorious fall to yucky winter. Everyone around me seems to have had it, had it, or is getting it.

I keep blaming it on allergies but I know it’s more than that. My head is killing me, sinuses are a mess and draining, and I feel sluggish and just down right yucky!

Even my exercising doesn’t seem to be warding the funk off this year! It seems like people at the gym are all getting sick too — maybe that is where I contracted this funk. Thank goodness Michael and Sebastian are doing ok.

I probably just wore myself down too much by staying up late playing boggle and that did me in.

Well to those out there that have the funk… rest up, drinks lots Qof fluids, and take your vitamins… for me it will be lots of vegging out on top of that and NYQUIL! 

a 29/11 on board

My daughter-in-law, Alicia, is a bundle of energy. If you get to play a board game with her, and want to win, you must play as though your life depends on it. Otherwise, you have no chance of winning. Even then, you might have to go defeated. She’s FOCUSED! That said, we (Alicia, Michael, Sebastian and I – Emi had the flu and was immersed in her studies at Columbia, Sumi, Toshi and Sophie were/are in Japan, Yang and Han were understandably tired from working long hours at their business, and Alex was visiting family in Virginia) had an absolutely marvelous holiday week together in Raleigh, even though, alas, we never won a game, not once, nada. Right, Michael?

Alicia said she’s on board for posting on this blog. This will be a real treat as she’s upfront in how she thinks, talks, acts and writes, and will bring everything she knows about a subject, the good and not so good of it, to her postings. We’re a little bit nervous about this, ha ha, just kidding, Alicia. We trust.

Just like Emi, Alicia is a 29/11, which means, among other things, she needs to release lots of creative energy and not keep it within. Exercise is the perfect way of doing this. After reading Dan Millman’s book, The Life You Were Born to Live, danmillman.com she hasn’t stopped exercising. It works, she says.

Michael was a die-hard New Yorker when he went to Raleigh to visit a high school friend. Destiny plays a part in one’s life at times, other words can be used in place of destiny, but, for now, lets stick with destiny, and he met Alicia on the first evening of his visit. Ten years later, New York still holds a place in Michael’s heart, but Raleigh is where he hangs his Yankee cap (if you can wrestle it away from him). And so, a big Korean family from Virginia became part of our family and we became part of theirs when Alicia and Michael married.

Alicia’s mind keeps going, and so her posts will have a whole slew of topics she’ll want to discuss. It’ll be a lot fun and very interesting. Indeed!