I Love (upstate) New York

I truly truly do. When I was a baby, child, kid & teenager we would always stop in the fingerlakes to relax on the halfway point between home & my Bubbie's house in NYC. Summers in NYC were always tough- dealing with family or, more often running away from family resulted in either fun times sleeping at Bubbie's neighbors house (who I would occasionally pretend was my real grandmother) or, abandoned at a park. I knew my mom's mom had a difficult life. She survived a harsh childhood, poor in rural Poland, managed to live through the War, and gave birth to my mom in a refugee camp in Russia the year after the war ended. She and Zaidy moved to America when my mom was 4, with nothing, and managed to create a life for themselves- owning a soda shop, and a successful corner store in Queens.

She and mom had a tense relationship, and I never understood why, I just knew Bubbie and I had one as well. When I was 16, both my grandmothers died. It's horrible to say, but I don't remember who died first. I remember mom picking me up at school, and I just knew Grandma had died after what seemed like a long and slow decline. I remember a flight to NYC - almost unheard of- and alone at that (my first time flying alone) and seeing my Bubbie more fragile then I thought possible, and less angry then I had ever seen her. There would be no more of Grandma's apple pie, and rice pudding and no more of Bubbie's krepplach or brisket.

I'm almost still ashamed to admit how much closer to my Grandma I was. Looking more objectivly backwards, it was most likely due to proximity- I lived a 10 minute walk from Grandma, and a 8-10 hour drive from Bubbie. Every time we drove to see Bubbie, we would stop in the Fingerlakes - the halfway point and a break for me, who would be dreading the familial tension that would follow.

After Bubbie died, We drove down to NYC and back with dad's truck to collect the final belongings. Till last week, that was the last time I had been in the fingerlakes- it was as beautiful as I remember.

Grad School

Is officially a go. This blog has potential to take on a whole new direction. Or possibly not. I am aiming to be a Master of Information. That alone is worth the $40,000.

Everyone DOES love Marineland!

The above picture I love the most. I think every child who has been has some form of that picture I know I have the identical picture.

Also, I napped in the grass. It was pretty great.
I generally love the deer.

Birthday Shenanigans

Well, I turned 24 with no pictures to prove it. We did not go to the above movie for my birthday.

Beware the ides of March... oh. wait. damn.

May is an exciting month.

We cleaned out the shelves, bought new ones and organized the 50+ bottles of alcohol.

I also drove to Waterloo with mom and realized that I miss the country, fresh air and flowers more then I ever thought I would. This city is kind of a drag.

April's been a busy month.

Went to Las Vegas to go to NAB with boss-man. Stayed at the Encore, which was intense. Ridiculously expensive but taken care of by my uncle who hasn't seen me in 9 years. Not only did he get me a beautiful suite, but boss-man one as well- amazingly generous and speaks wonders of true family. Also, Beau's car broke down

Books

I tend to collect books. I love libraries, but I love owning books more. There's something about having shelves and shelves of books, that you own, and can read whenever that is sort of wonderful.

There's also something wonderful about my favorite child in the world. I would post a picture, but for some reason that freaks me out.

Snow Snow Snow Snow Snow.

I began a new job. Program coordinator for a youth literacy program that's a pretty amazing organization. I'm kind of thrilled with the whole thing.

Phone Pictures

Camera phones are awesome.

It took us a while to take down the Christmas tree. By this point, There were Pine needles EVERYWHERE. Obviously. This was Jan 8. Also, Steam Cleaning Carpets is fun. As long as it's not me doing it.

It's now Febuary

And my thoughts are now contrary. That was then. and this is now. Snow snow snow. Sometimes I think back to living in Spain, and question living in Canada.

Below is Thomas. Thomas the Snowman. He led a good and long life. Who says you can't have fun in a Condo in Downtown Toronto?