Bandera

It's has been a hectic, hectic week so naturally an excursion is already in the works. Sometimes I wonder why I live in the metroplex. haha! Probably because after enough time apart I start to miss home.

We are planning a little weekend getaway to the hill country. Bandera station in Bandera, Texas. It's a unique and rustic place to stay, overlooking the hill country and Medina River.

I'll be a newbie to this place. I hope there's not too much to do. I'm looking forward to a weekend with less craziness around me.

The Grand Canyon

These photos help me forget the stress of urban living, and the past couple days have been urban living hell. It is a rather touristy place on the rims but I found ways to avoid tourist traps by taking in a 16 mile hike down Kaibab Trail to the Colorado River and back up to the rim on Bright Angel.


If that isn't a test of endurance, I don't know what is. I was definitely challenged that day.

I made some new friends at Phantom Ranch who now endearingly refer to me as 'Bright Angel' for being so brave. :) There encouraged me to buy a flashlight at the ranch in case Bright Angel turned dark on my ascend up. I obliged but made it back that evening right before sunset. Just minutes to spare. I still remember it. 7:23 PM.

Who knew there would be waterfalls and bamboo trees in parts of the canyon. I got to experience this marvel.


There is so much more to The Canyon though! The experience only made me ponder on the vastness of this canyon and what a small slice of heaven I was in.
The Colorado River was amazing. I wanted to stay longer. Next time I will.


Here I am, taking in the view from Hermits Rest on the morning after the 16 miler that nearly broke me down.. I did it though.

I can't wait to be back! I'm ready for another excursion.

A Night Out in the City

Taking a stroll in the city on a seemingly regular day.








The longest strike in American was taking place at The Congress Hotel. Workers united and picketed for fair wages and benefits. The banners and bumper stickers read "The Congress Hotel Disgraces Chicago".

I love when workers unite and bring their pickets. I collected some souvenir buttons and bumper stickers too and of course these photos and some unforgettable memories .

The music on the loud speakers was most appropriate. They were playing some passionate tunes from old-time artists like Sister Sledge. "We are Fam-a-ly! I got all ma sistas with me!! Some rockin' soul music.

After the strikers left and the hustle died out, the city returned to a marked calm.

An Afternoon Adventure

Zac Effron is a fine speci-man, but that is not the only reason why I dragged my mother out to watch 17 Again at the cheapo theaters in Buffalo Grove. It was mostly because no good movies were playing at the other theaters and who doesn't love a good deal. The movie and the theater gets an A on my rating scale. We got what we expected. Not a disappointment like Terminator Salvation.

I had been in the mood for a movie and ice-cream for days. Once my movie craving was full-filled, we hit up an ice-cream parlor in the area. The flavors and the smell in that place was just not sitting well on our palates and so we walked right out and across the parking lot to Dominics. From the assortment of ice-cream there, a critical yet difficult decision had to be made. The unanimous choice was Hagen Daz mango flavor and we enjoyed it at the outdoor courtyard nearby while taking in the fresh afternoon air.

After our movie/ ice-cream excursion, we cruised up to an open-house in Highland Park on our way to the Botanical Gardens. This beautiful 70 year old home was surrounded by luscious gigantic leafy trees and a very serene and private front driveway and backyard. The Realtor dude was overtly friendly, trying to make a sale and requested some info before he would let us make the inconspicuous exit we had in mind. We were stuck having to hear quite a bit of his spiel at the front door.

My mother made some small talk chatter with him and thought she was being slick when she tells me in Hindi to sign the guest registry with some made-up info. Ha! That was not slick at all! I can only do some much on the spot. So I wrote some info and left some pertinent details out. Lying by omission is all right in come situations.

We had fun walking around the Botanical garden. We took time to smell the roses and walk through all the gardens. The only spot we missed was the Grape and Hops Celebration. I missed out on some tasty tastings. Mother doesn't care for fermented grapes or hops. So sad.

I remembered my camera but forget to load the battery, so no photos were snapped today. :(

Love Birds

I swoon over swans. They appear to have the mystique behind true love figured out. Yet I wonder. Are these birds ever prone to jealousy, lovers rage of fit or infidelity? Does papa swan ever forget their anniversary? Do they ever quarrel about silly things only to confess how bad they felt for the squabble?

I love the lovers love child too. It was so fuzzy and cute! Look really close, the baby bird is hanging out near mama's tail. I also like how they seem so uninterested in me as I tried to get closer to capture their beauty.

Random Acts of Kindness

This morning on my flight to Chicago, I gave up 2 hours of precious read time to engage an extremely chatty elderly gentleman in the seat next to me in conversation he decided to initiate. There are times I don't mind friendly people on the plane. Really. But just not when I already had this time set aside for myself days in advance and was looking forward to it. I really needed to catch up on my reading and was sad about the time lost.

Now, I'm not saying that our conversation was completely random and senseless. He talked a lot about his wife, family, work and life experiences in endearing ways. I asked him questions occasionally and learned quickly the conversation could go any way I wanted to steer it.
At one point we were talking about his neighbor and his failed attempts at two mail-order brides. I found that amusing.

I like to think I'm a nice person. But bagesus, I have my limits. Maybe I was engaging in a random act of kindness. Maybe I wanted to also see what I can learn from this man. I have no idea. All I know is, I gave up 2 hours of my life that I'll never get back. I'm not sure what the lesson is in all of this. Maybe nothing, maybe something. I guess I can't live in regret or try to find meaning in every experience.

I feel as if time has been wasted and I need to figure out how to get it back.
For now, I'm needing some sleep and maybe I'll make up for that time over the next few days.
The plan is to get up early tomorrow am for a long run at Busse Woods Forest Preserve.
2 hours!! Gosh darnit. I wish I had done some reading.

India is More Than Slums

It always ruffles my feathers a bit when I get asked ignorant questions about the motherland. I guess it disturbs me to realize that many culture-less people here do not understand nor appreciate much about the Indian culture other than what they have seen in fictional movies that tend to sensationalize and overemphasize the slum-like living conditions.

There is so much more to India and to Indian people. A rich culture with several hundred language and dialects, exquisite mythology, timeless traditions and colorful people are just some of the things that make up India. The Indian people go back to a time of dateless history. Traditions are passed down from generation to generation.

It is an entrancing like country that can only be experienced by being there and allowing yourself to embody what it has to offer.

From my personal experience; I can spend a lifetime in India and still only just begin to scratch the surface of who I am and where I belong. I always come back from a trip to India less self-involved and with an expanded view of the human race.

I am itching to go to India.

Here is a quote I took from Yann Martel (author of Life of Pi)..
A stint in India will beat the restlessness out of any living creature..

Surprise

I came home from an exhausting day yesterday to a lovely surprise. Flowers (a beautiful bouquet of irises and lilies) and a home-cooked meal prepared with love!


My honey decided to surprise me and cleverly so, as it was no special occasion. He even offered to take this photo when he saw me struggling to capture the perfect shot. Love his eye for angles! A man with good taste :)

Hope it's not because he's guilty of something..ha! He went through the trouble of putting everything together right before I walked in the door. The flowers were in a vase and the first thing I noticed as I walked through the door. And there he was in the kitchen, putting finishing touches on some chili noodles. What a sweet guy.

I gave him some xoxo for knowing how to bring a big smile to my face. I can't wait until the lilies come to full bloom. We're planning a fun weekend in Austin at the end of this week to celebrate my bestest friends birthday with a bang! Friday, what's taking so long?!