Sketching at the Metropolitan Museum with Tsia and Heather. Tsia and I officially declared it "frilly girly day" but neglected to warn Heather that tutus were involved, so we'll have to re-schedule another sketching event soon so Heather can wear her yellow bumblebee tutu.
Celebrating a low-key Christmas with dear friends. An icy walk along the East River on Christmas afternoon, building a tiny snow bunny (not the blonde skiing kind, mind you), waving Merry Christmas to a friendly tugboat as it passed us. Later, lobster, steak au poivre, and flying bunnies (a long tradition I'll explain sometime) at the apartment of more close friends. There's nothing like Christmas in New York, and I mean it.
Watching Tsia do a "flamingo dance" (costume found in my parents' admirable collection of dress-up clothes) after we attended a performance by Noche Flamenca the other day. Really breathtaking. (Noche Flamenca, that is. Tsia's dancing was more amusing than breathtaking, I'll admit. It involved lots of bottom-wiggling.) If you get a chance to see this group, I highly recommend it. I'm entranced by the way the performers watch each other so intently (much of flamenco is improvisation, so they need to be closely in tune), and I admire the tremendous physicality of the dancing. The singing always vaguely reminds me of one of my favorite musicians, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, which may seem far-fetched, but apparently the roots of Flamenco do have some ties to that part of the world. We'll have another opportunity to watch flamenco at Tsia's school tomorrow.
Travel with my little one, who is really a wonderful kid. I'm lucky to spend time with her and her sweet disposition. We have fun together.
Spending time with my family, particularly my two youngest sisters, one new brother-in-law, and my parents. 2009 was quite a year for our family in many different ways. I'm glad we had a chance to spend some quiet time together to close out the old year and look forward to a new year.
Meeting the editor of an upcoming digital fiber-craft magazine at a terrific yarn store/cafe near my parents' home. Nothing like wielding pointy tools for change, and the yarns look as scrumptuous as the food!
Paying a nostalgic visit to Dad's office, which was always an adventure when I was little and got to play with the drafting supplies.
Admiring the architecture at the University of Wisconsin. Many of the older buildings are so beautiful and grand.
Dropping by to see where our favorite Babcock Hall ice cream is made. Saying hi to the friendly cows (I had no idea a single cow can give 5 gallons of milk in one milking, and here's the proof that I don't make this stuff up.
Returning home to one adorable husband and furry cat.
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I have one resolution for 2010: I want to celebrate spontaneous ordinary events. Calendar holidays have always felt too forced and stressful to me, so this year I will celebrate the everyday, the little events, and the uneventful. And I plan to make them into events of their own. So here's to the new year!
happy new year to you and yours. i do so love reading here and the idea of celebrating the ordinary moments. i look forward to seeing just how it happens here.
ReplyDeleteflamingo dancing. kids are awesome.
My dad worked in the Soil Science building at the University of Alberta, so your photos made me feel all nostalgic too! I could even smell that distinctive smell that all those departments have (or used to have anyways). Of course, he was an entomologist so I spent time playing with the SEM instead, or avoiding the pet tarantula.
ReplyDeleteMmmmm....Babcock ice cream. As UW graduate I firmly believe that any school that makes its own ice cream is top notch.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year!
ReplyDeleteI love hand made icecream! its so creamy and delicious!
you just made me soooo homesick for new york! sketching at the met! we used to sketch at the central park zoo too. if i pulled out a sketchbook in an LA museum people would think i was crazy! *sniff*
ReplyDelete