Tag: Williamsburg

Day Two: Sunsets, Escapes, Detergent

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Hello again! Thought I’d break my 21-day gratitude spree? Well it’s cutting it a little close, but after the busy day I’ve had, you’d understand!

Today I am grateful for many, many things of which three stand out the most: Sunsets, Escapes, and good ol’ Detergent.

First things first: Sunsets

Sunset tonight

Look at this beauty. This breezy and refreshingly mild evening was spent atop a roof in my lovely hometown of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The sunset slowly made its way across the NYC skyline while I enjoyed the company of friends while savoring chilled avocado soup topped with shrimp & salsa (commence drooling). The soft bluish blanket of cloud and warm orange and pink hues of the sun intersected perfectly…. As if the approaching night sky softly embraced the sleepy sun. No single sunset is the same, as is each day we live on Earth. Make it count.

I am grateful for Sunsets.

1700's Farmhouse, Berkshires

The thought of  Escape comes to my mind as well this evening to add to the many things and ideas I am grateful for. I still reflect on the indescribably peaceful couple of days spent in the Berkshires with family. It was truly a time where I Escaped my superficial worries, fears, and stresses. Each day was a pure expression of living in the moment. From stopping on the road to explore a less-traveled winding dirt path that led to an immaculate 1700’s farm house, to sitting quietly on the front porch or the meadow – each moment was spent absorbing the essence of Life, which is (as I am slowly getting the hang of!) being present in each moment. I am grateful to have had the beautiful experience to Escape to the North, but am even more grateful to be honing in on the ability to create that “Escape” state of mind wherever I journey.

I am grateful for Escapes.

On a less introspective note, I am SO SO SO SO grateful for Detergent. Today I spent 10 hours in the field sampling groundwater and measuring levels of oil (No. 6 fuel oil product to be fancy) at an undisclosed location in New York. I donned my Tyveks as to avoid any destruction to my favorite new pair of hiking/summer cargo/ work pants, but somehow the nasty molasses-like-evil-goo-from-Fern Gully still managed to seep onto my clothes! I reluctantly surrendered to the petroleum powers that be and sadly accepted the new stains on my favorite work pants.

Upon returning home, I raced to my room, and couldn’t get my sweaty, oily, bug spray-ee clothes into the wash! And lo and behold….. The pants came out SPOTLESS! This goes to show that with a little luck, good detergent, and good timing, you can get No. 6 Fuel Oil off of your favorite pants (helps that they were cotton too, no?)!

I am grateful for Detergent.

Dogs: Good for the Soul.

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This girl can turn heads.

Dogs. They’re good for us homo sapiens in so so many ways. I’m sure 99.9% of you already know that, but in case you’ve forgotten – look it up. Whether it’s for your mind, body or soul, canines have all bases covered.

Saturday afternoons post-brunch in Williamsburg are best spent soaking up vitamin D at the N 6th Piers – you know – in front of those fancy hi-rise Edge condos (yes, they have indoor pools…). A great place to lounge on benches, catch (or miss by 2 seconds) the East River Ferry, or  people-watch. The N 6th Piers are also a great place to partake in my newest leisurely activity: dog-watching.

I mean, who doesn’t love cooing and awe-ing and coveting all those well-manicured mutts and purebreds of Willysburg? Step aside babies in your mini fedoras and Chucks!

Case in point: I was helping a friend dog-sit this past weekend and Holy Moly is her dog gorgeous. Maddie, the 2-year-old Burmese Mountain Dog heart-breaker literally turned heads everywhere we walked (see photo). Maybe it’s the breed, or maybe it’s my new hat that had everyone going bonkers (I think Maddie can take credit here). Complete strangers would go OUT of their way to approach Maddie (after of course me giving them permission & telling them that she was the friendliest dog in the world) and would do the whole, “OMG! I NEED THAT DOG IN MY LIFE!!”

What was it about Maddie that turned heads? Her mushy demeanor, her perfectly symmetrical markings, or her downright cute face? I’d like to say it’s a combination.

Here’s my theory: We are all drawn toward the things that make us feel loved, safe, and happy. Dogs satisfy each of these basic needs, and we are thus drawn to them. When people crossed paths with Maddie, they experienced her energy: a healthy mixture of calmness, goofiness, trust, and loyalty. That’s what drew in the love.

Walking Maddie

Maddie, the irrestable

This reminds me of something that I’ve been feeling for a while and perhaps you have too. For several months, I’ve felt an overwhelming urge to adopt a dog. I wanted one so badly, that I didn’t realize my want stemmed from an absence of love, happiness, and safety within myself. Once I addressed each of my these needs through some much-needed soul searching (so easy to lose it every once in a while in NYC), I finally made peace with the fact that simply adopting a dog would not fill the void and that I had to do so myself. So to all you potential dog-adopters out there, make sure you’re bringing a new member of the family home for the right reasons. If you’re lonely, perhaps get to know yourself all over again and enjoy being with just you.

A Happy Home makes for a Happy Dweller, which makes for an even happier Canine…. We’re all working on the former, and as soon as I can manage to cut my commuting time back, I’ll work on the latter : ) Until then, Volunteer! (more on that later…)