6/6/2008
It has been months since I last blogged, but I am in Paris for the weekend, so something to blog about 
One Highlight from Day One:
My nieces and nephews gave me a list of things to do in Paris 1) the chunnel 2) the Louvre. Went through the chunnel to get here (suprisingly short) and here’s me with my good friend Lisa to prove I was there.
(Note: My other family members sent me a further challenge which I did not get until after I had been to the Louvre  They wanted me to see the ceiling that people from their town had helped renovate. Well, can’t do that, but I have to say the ceilings were amazing as were the wall-sized paintings!)
All the travel books are right. The Louvre is overwhelming. After three hours and only seeing a couple of floors in each wing, I couldn’t take in any more–and I pride myself on my museum stamina!
11/14/2007
You may have heard that both the Writer’s Guild and the stage hands are on strike. This means that all TV shows and Broadway plays are “dark.” This means that we couldn’t go to Wicked, nor could we go to the taping of the Late Show with David Letterman. Did this mean our trip was ruined? Not at all! Not only did we get a beautiful few days of Central Park walks (notice the wedding couple getting their picture taken in the background),
 
Double-Decker tours, Greenwich Village dinners (yes, those are s’mores),
the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry trips,
  
and we actually got in on the strike action. On the way to the Statue of Liberty, we walked through a strike of writer’s of New York shows.
  The next day we went to Hello Deli, made famous from the Late Show. Rupert was there, as usual, but this time he didn’t just take the order, he was making a “guerilla-film” with the writer’s of the Late Show with Dave Letterman. We were right there in the filming of a bit by Rupert they will be postin on their website…now, I take no blame for any of the contents of this link: They are New Yorkers, and they’re angry.
11/12/2007
Greetings from Greenwich Village! I know I haven’t blogged for a while, so I am going to have a few catch up entries coming up. New realization (which you’ve probably already made): I am not a “blogger.” I am a “travelouger.”All attempts of morphing my travelblog to a living blog have failed. We just have to let it be.So, you’re probably asking yourself why I am blogging now. It’s quite simple: I am on vacation. Yes, I am in Greenwich Village, but it is still vacation. My mother has come to town—her first time in New York. She sent an email a few weeks ago to ask if she would be close by if she were in Washington, D.C. So, I talked her into taking the Amtrak from D.C. to New York. (Also her first train ride.) We have four and ½ days! (No, there is no such thing as me taking a day off; I just double-upped my reading and writing before she got here and we are both working in the evenings.)
 After two and ½ days, we have covered quite a bit of ground from Central Park to Washington Square Park. Along with the traffic, it’s been go, go, go. My mother’s reaction last night as we watched the St. Patrick Cathedral Saturday night Mass was especially interesting to me. She said, “You know, this is so very new to me, but somehow familiar, a part of my American experience.” Things like number of movies with the Empire State Building (Affair to Remember, Sleepless in Seattle, etc.) have made it a known location, but as we stood atop the 86th floor the amount of concrete and steel within the 25 miles visibility was staggering.
Heard of 42nd Street? Broadway? Madison Avenue? Park Avenue? Fifth Avenue? A Miracle on 34th Street? We haven’t just been to each of these places, but experienced what they all reference.
42nd Street and Broadway is the heart of Times Square. On TV, New York is captured with the photographer’s favorite picture of skyline. In reality, the buildings go on forever. Time Square flashing with neon lights and crowded with people, is actually smaller than she imagined—just a couple of streets.
I live a street away from Madison and Park Avenue. The day my mother arrived, we were lucky enough to go to the last NYC street fair of the summer season—a two-mile stretch of boutique booths, food stands, and wares of all kinds for sale. It was a true New York-er moment. The neighborhood was out in all its variety. We especially enjoyed the fried oreo cookies topped with powdered sugar!
Decorated for Christmas as a white, shimmering wonderland, Saks Fifth Avenue lived up to its image: We found a beautiful pair of soft snake-skin boots, only $1500. My mother almost dropped them as she put them back on the shelf. Bloomingdale’s, on the other hand, was nicely decorated, but not quite to our liking. Macy’s, however, on 34th Street was a “Miracle.”
Several store-front windows housed animated scenes from Miracle on 34th Street like the scene of court scene when, as proof that Kris Kringle was indeed Santa Claus, the U.S. Postal Service supplied the judge with more than enough letters addressed to said Claus.
Inside Macy’s we were pleasantly surprised to find on display, the actual New Year’s ball that drops in Times Square. Did you know that the ball is made of Waterford crystal and is over five feet in diameter?
8/26/2007
I have been punctuating my meetings and orientation sessions with walks around the neighborhood, trying to get a sense of where I am. I found a place to do laundry right down the street and was given a diner recommended. The place is called Brother Jimmy’s BBQ and apparently, it can satisfy all my late-night Mac-n-Cheese or candied yams needs. (I don’t currently have these needs, but I may develop them.) It turns out I also live around the corner from Katie Couric; I am sure we will be rubbing shoulders as we pick out the freshest bell peppers at the same grocery store again soon.
All in all though, I have been doing nothing but work. At my meeting last Thursday, I was given five books my Master’s students have already read in preparation for the class I am teaching (which starts next Tuesday). I have read a total of zero of them. So, I had to dig in and get to reading. I went directly to my new office space, which I think has an okay view.
   
Yeah, my office is called Sheep Meadow and is located in Central Park. Now you’re thinking I was just playing around, but you would be wrong. See, here’s me hard at work:
 And here’s me the next day at my all-day planning session for the course I’m teaching. Yep, that’s sand and that’s ocean, and that’s me working, working, working. Anne, who is teaching the other section of the course, came back from her vacation ready to get to work. We arranged to meet this week, but we had so much to do, she suggested I accompany her on a “work trip”. We started off from Grand Central Station at 10 and came back at about 10. We went to Stamford, Fairfield, Westport and surrounding areas in Connecticut, a beautiful place 45 minutes by train right on the coast line of the Long Island Sound. I kept asking if they were sure we were at the ocean; the water was still like a lake…be it a salty one. I hear there are some waves at the beaches on Long Island, but we’ll see! I also hear that there are mountains around here.
As with all trips, I have to report on food. We went to Martha Stewart’s favorite hot dog stand. My compatriots welcomed me to the East Coast with a dog with the works. So far, I like the taste of it.
8/21/2007
Only my mother and father told me to make sure to lock my door and to keep alert on the subway. Everyone else? Everyone else said, “Make sure you meet and marry a millionaire multi-media mogul.”
I said, “Okay.”
Monday I set out to do part one of the two-part charge. First thing I did was wake up at 7:00 a.m. and go running in Central Park*. As I headed out the door with my keys, cell phone and iPod, my housemate wisely advised that I also take my MetroCard. I had mapped out the route the night before from running advice columns on the Internet. I was going to run the four-mile section of the “Big 6” by cutting off the top and bottom of the loop. She wasn’t convinced and I took her on her word. Six miles later I was on the west side of the park again passing the Ono’s “Imagine” tribute to Lennon. Looking back, and studying the map again, I have no idea how I looped around again. At that point, I was done. I cut across the park—walking—and dragged myself to the 86th and Lexington subway stop, so glad I listened!
(One more thing about Central Park: What do you think when you hear “island”? Don’t say mountains. Stop it. Don’t start naming every volcanic island. Okay, fine. All islands I can think of are at least hilly. So is Manhattan. This I didn’t know when I started the run. This I knew when I finished. I swear it was up hill both ways and around the loop again! I guess that’s what they meant when the website said the run would be a challenge.)
So, what does this have to do with my set-for-life prospects? Nothing. Nothing happened. Aren’t I supposed to be running along coming up on a fit-looking, tan, tall fellow and say, “Left” at which point, he glances back not about to let a girl pass him by? 50 feet later, he casually stops off at the drinking fountain. A half a mile later around the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I come up behind him again (I had stopped to “stretch”) and this time he says, “Can you stop doing that?” The “Meet Cute” is complete. We decide to attend the new exhibit at the Met together and from there decide that we can’t have one Met function without another; we go to a game….I tell you, I ran for a LONG time! Not long enough to name our first born—fine, Conrad Reed or Isabol Marie.
I learned two things: 1) Get a dog. The only people talking to each other were introduced to each other by their dogs. 2) All multi-media millionaire moguls who run in Central Park are married with children. Every third guy was pushing a stroller. Long story short, until I get a dog, I am going to try to meet him in the subway. I already purchased a really interesting-looking book to read.
*Note for the ‘rents: I was not alone at all. I passed 30 people. Okay, so they were going the other direction. Alright, truth is an additional 30 people passed me. Basically, people, people, everywhere.
First, let me welcome you to my New York home…
 Yes,that’s a #13 you see on my door. I live in Apartment #13. What are the chances? Below it is 12A, which is written on all official paperwork and everywhere else. Good thing 13 is my lucky number! In my hand is Gerard, my new plant. Got him today at the local Home Depot (had a coupon), which is on 59th and Lexington, right across the street from H&M, Bloomingdales and Sephora. What a city! And yes, I am wearing a coat and hat…in August…Let’s not talk about it.
Well, let’s go in…
Some of you have seen the before picture; well, here’s the after. It is starting to feel a bit more like home.
 I live on the Upper East Side (UES) in a area below Spanish Harlem. I was serenaded on the subway by these guys way downtown yesterday. Then, I saw them getting off at my stop! I swear I met them in Oaxaca, but they denied any association. I think they thought I was following them.
I had a mango from the neighborhood fruit stand yesterday, which is ran by a nice Turkish family. They are the closest thing I have to a nice neighbor at this time. I buy something each day. Subway entrances are four short blocks to the left or three blocks (and a hill) to the right, very convenient.
Oh, the next pic is for the truck-obsessed nephews. Anyone who can tell me what exactly is dangling, and can give me a good reason, gets a prize.
12/22/2006
 Yep, that’s my foot and that’s a monkey. I am having a hard time this trip deciding on the “foot photo” because I walked around WITH monkeys! Even if I tried, I would not have been able to keep my distance.
 The sacred monkey forest was a jungle area in the middle of Ubud, an area in Bali. (Can you see me there waving? Actually, I am giving the peace sign to be exact.) We bought some bananas and ventured in…little to know the rules that would keep us safe until I was already handing out bananas like little treats. Little did I know that I would be chased! Okay, so they didn’t chase me, but I did have one bare its teeth and take a leap for me…I ran away.
 Marketplaces have to be my favorite spots to visit. I am NOT talking about shopping or mall-type place, but the places locals go to get their daily necessities. I feel like I have a finger on the pulse of the city for just a moment…until I get noticed and become the center of attention.
This first pic shows the line of mopeds you will find everywhere there is a congregation of people here. It makes sense, until you hit the steep, curving roads with no cliff barrier and three cars trying to pass each other!
Another site found everywhere on this island are the daily (perhaps mutiple times a day) offerings. These offerings are in front of shops, on the street corner, on bookshelves. I couldn’t find a pattern other than…an offering goes everywhere you are!
In the marketplace I found some delicious options. (Notice the offering on the top.) How about dried fish? This reminded me of the chapulines of Oaxaca, Mexico. I didn’t try these though! I did try the extra spicy coconut bags, which were a nice change…
My favorite site, though, were the banana piles. Have you ever seen so many bananas?!?
Our last stop was the village where our taxi driver lived. He was a very nice guy who let us go see a “factory” where many of the wooden statues sold in the marketplace were made, and where we could get them cheaper by buying them at their source. I say “factory” because this is where we went…
The workers (mostly family) held the wood between their feet and used chiselling tools to carve out all kinds of figures from angels to bulldogs and eagles to indonesian gods. Needless to say, I had to buy something…and I paid a little extra.
12/21/2006
 A few loved ones have expressed concern about my well-being as I travel so far away…and at this holiday time. Well, no need to worry. First, Christmas is alive and well in China (at least the marketing is here). 
Second, I arrived in Bali today. And what was one of the first things I saw, yep, a McDonald’s. Notice, however, how the building is designed.  Even McD’s can’t refuse the ornate decor of this place it is gorgeous. Everything from the store fronts to the backyards. As soon as we arrived, I was offered an amazing deep hair conditioning, foot bath and acupressure, then a massage and scrubbing salt treatment. 
All the while, I listened to the distant chanting of the priests and children celebrating the new month (lunar calendar) at the nearby temple. After all that, they had a tub full of roses ready…incense burning and everything. I think I’m staying!
12/19/2006
Today is my first full day in mainland, China.
But first, let’s talk about how I got here…
Two days ago, I landed in Hong Kong. I thought I was in New York, until I our taxi driver got to the crazy small streets with low hanging store signs. The next day, I went on a tram, almost vertical at times, up to Victoria’s Peak. With 360 views of Hong Kong, I knew I had arrived. 
My favorite part of that day was Hong Kong Botanical and Zoological  Gardens. I was wandering down the surprisingly hilly streets of Hong Kong (don’t know why I didn’t know it is incredibly hilly…guessed I missed that chapter in the memoirs I’ve read that mention HK) when I literally walked right into the Gardens. It was such an oasis in the middle of a packed city.
This was the perfect place to find several groups around the fountain in the peaceful-looking practice of Tai Chi. I walked the spiraled patterns of the gardens to find all types of animals, including the closest thing to a Panda that I think I am going to find on this trip (sorry Marshall!). Maybe you can research to see if it is a distant cousin. 
I wound my way through the herb gardens to the jaguar cage. Sadly, he wasn’t awake yet. Feeling quite thoughtful, I meditated for a moment about the charmed life I lead. And I asked myself deep questions about whether it is a lack of something or if I am deeply driven to make this kind of world travel possible. While I am standing there, a wrinkled man of 90+ years walked to me, smiling. I pretended not to see him; I didn’t want to make him feel uncomfortable for staring at me. (After being bumped into more than once by people staring so hard that they’ve lost their balance, I’ve accepted that I am an anomaly.) Finally, he made his way over. He had large dark rimmed glasses, about the size of his face and his chin sported three long white hairs. “Nia how,” he said with a big grin. Well, I know that much, so I responded with a Chinese hello. Then, thinking perhaps that that was a sign that I knew Chinese, he broke out into an elaborate explanation of the sleeping patterns of jaguars. Okay, so that’s what I assume he was talking about from his hand gestures. I think he thought I was waiting for the jaguar to emerge. After his lecture, he leaned in closer and asked something…which I couldn’t answer, obviously. He had found me out. He didn’t waste any time, but said, “Bye, bye,” in English and turned to go on his way. He had no time for my ignorance of Chinese, but still, I had made my first friend!
10/5/2006
The Virginia Safari Park website states that this park was designed because “we felt there was a need and desire for people to be able to see wild animals in a much more natural environment than had previously been available. At VSP you’ll be able to see animals run and frolic with abandon … or block your path … or lay flat-out in the sun … the choice will be theirs; they are free to roam—no pacing back and forth in front of a barred exhibit! The experience of having a huge bull elk or bison only inches away, feeding from your bucket, is virtually impossible to describe.”
I agree, so here are some pictures to tell the story… And yes, that buffalo did climb into that van!
10/4/2006
I have found that I can’t travel comfortably without a wireless Internet connection for my laptop. Am I spoiled?
On to bigger and better things…. I just returned from a trip to Virginia to visit my neice and nephews while their parents went on a vacation/work trip. I just have to say that the Virginian countryside is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The hills roll as far as you can see. Grass grows spontaneously! (Obviously I am from the Southwest!)
When we were children, I remember singing many of John Denver’s songs, but my brother’s favorite was “Country Roads.” Needless to say, I feel a new kinship with John Denver and his love of country roads! Here we were in the Shenandoah River Valley, just a few miles from the Blue Ridge Mountains Parkway.
 This picture tells two stories: 1) The beauty surrounding us, and 2) An obsession with Star Wars. We had just spent the afternoon at the Virginia Safari Park (see the next blog entry) and I wanted to drive up the Parkway to see the view. I had a car of four tired and hungry kids. What do I do? I jump that Millennium Falcon into hyper speed and take off into the sunset. Soon we were dodging enemy fire and trying to fix our shield generator and no one noticed that Auntie Anna was enjoying one of the most beautiful sites she has ever seen! Now, my father says these pictures seem more like Charlie’s Angels, but you have to imagine the Star Wars posters with the characters all staring off in separate directions with various weapons showing. This picture is in front of the “training base,” which is really the university where their father works. We were finished driving the Parkway and it was getting dark. My mother was also visiting with me, but had stayed at home to work on her dissertation. She had wanted to see her son’s university in the daylight and it was our last day. So, her dilemma worked nicely into our Star Wars scenario. Suddenly Grandma Lu was being held hostage! We drove into enemy territory quietly and then exited our vehicle and panned out throughout the house. I was in the kitchen when I hear the two youngest kids explaining to Grandma to come quickly and quietly. They were saving her! I walked out of the house to find them escorting her out to the van…and she was playing right along…without her shoes! They had her duck in the back seat and I heard her whisper to me, “Am I being taken hostage or am I being saved?” We took her up our “base and training camp” and then to the Mess Hall, which looked strangely like the enemy territory we had just left. The next day as we were driving to the airport we passed the road to the university and the youngest says, “Hey, there’s the road to our base! Good thing I brought my force belt.”
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