The Smartphone and the Dumb American (A love story?)

Firstly, if you have not ever watched the show Idiot Abroad...it's worth the watch for the chuckles. Watching that sealed the deal of my need to be immersed among 8 million strangers, many of whom speak in an assortment of British accents.
Now onto my rather eventful day, which has simply carried on from yesterday with a few decent snoozes on the Dreamliner.
The Dreamliner was quite cozy, especially because I had a front-row seat and could stretch out my legs, which was a trade-off for not having under-seat space, which made me less productive during the flight. Still, their touch-screen technology, incredible movie selection, and decent vegan food kept me satisfied on the 6ish hour journey. I'm already looking forward to the ride back so I can stow things under the seat in front of me, and so I can finish the last 20 minutes of The Time Travelers Wife. (I thought if I cut it off at a sweet part I could walk away and pretend it had a happy ending, but they did a good job of spoiling that possibility.).

Upon coming into the UK, I got rather giddy. Maybe it was because not enough blood was flowing to my head from the long flight, but I even teared up a little bit at the site of vast quarted countrysides, and sheep sitting among the greenest of pastures. Here I was, at last, among this city I had heard and read and thought so much about.

But maybe due to the blood, or the lack of sleep, that feeling quickly faded. My excitement to be surrounded by British accents waned almost immediately upon watching a woman chew on a word in between puffs of her cigarette. I waited half an hour in line to have my passport stamped - only my second stamp, and my first in 10 years. I hadn't prepared much for this trip, and I certainly hadn't prepared for what a passport-checker would inquire. She asked about my job, why I don't know where I'm staying beyond tonight, and how much money I brought. She was polite, but I wondered how much I should be telling her...at least until I got nervous that she might not let me in. Alas, I was passed, so I picked up my luggage, exchanged my hard-earned-money into less than I thought it was worth despite some promotion they said they gave me, and headed out to the train.
On the train, it hit me again. Despite the colorful graffiti and the quaint, British row houses, and a few sprawling stretching of garden that made me smile, a lot of the scenery reminded me of riding the Metro North from NYC. I began to wonder if it was really worth all this money and effort and confusion just to see new graffiti on a different arrangement of bricks. This must be the lack of sleep talking, cause I'm usually a glass-half-full person.

A clever artist inspires thoughtful graffiti. 

Thing did brighten up a bit when I stepped off the train at Blackfrairs Station to follow a 2 mile tour from my book, Walking London (which is more useful, but not as entertaining as London Walking, the other book I brought along.)
I started by crossing the Blackfriars Bridge then walking along the Thames. I popped into a little museum/shoppe of the Royal Societies of Painters in Watercolour and Painters/Engravers.

This was my favorite. Not a bad price, but more than in my budget. 

Then past the former Power Station.

...and past a pub that stands where once all the iron work for St Paul's cathedral was forged. I then popped out past the New Globe Theatre, where I hope to return for a show, past the Rose Theatre in which Titus Andronicus is playing in a few months, and was the site of the first time that play was ere performed (so thought).

Rose Theatre- with Hamlet photos

Then to the site of the old Globe. Fascinating history amongst the hustle and bustle of today's London. The Globe is right across from Financial Times, and around the corner is where years of Bear-baiting took place in the 1600's. I walked through a forgotten red light district with not a single red light remaining, then around the corner to The Anchor, an inn from around 1775. I had a cider, served with a glass of ice, and a plate of local mushrooms cooked in a pie crust with little onions and gravy + mashed potatoes and veggies.

Cheers, this tastes like soda :) 

Not bad, and not too expensive, though the cider was a little big for my lil alcohol appetite.

Clink Street

After the Inn I walked down Clink street and avoided some semi-expensive thrills and tours, "London Bridge, The terror," and the old Prison Museum. For whatever reason, I wasn't feeling it.

The Golden Hinde and another Photo-taker

What remains of Winchester Palace

Past the Golden Hinde ship and to the Southwark Cathedral, where I was mistaken for either a middle school choir student or their chaperone (hopefully the latter). Buried at this church are Chaucer's friend John Gower and Shakespeare's brother, and John Harvard, Harvard's founder, was born here. Amazing that so much history is enriched in one beautiful building. I didn't take the time to explore it after the choir confusion, instead making my way to Borough Market.

Southwark Cathedral

At this point, I thought I should make my way to my destination - the airbnb I'm typing this at currently. But due to the maps being positioned with North facing down, I got dreadfully confused and ended up crossing the London Bridge twice, which wasn't a problem. By the second time, though I decided not to rely on my sense of direction for the next 3 miles, nor my phone's batter (which turned out to be a wise decision) and took a train.
I bought a week long unlimited train pass for 56 pounds. Hopefully it pays off! After a small detour, I made it to my house, where I'm fighting some strange allergy and attempting to stay up past 8:00pm to cure the jet lag.

 

I'm finally planning out the next week(or so) of my trip....and I'm not going to lie, I thought about and researched ending this trip a little early...but I'll stick through. There's so much yet to be seen. I'm sure it's just the lack of sleep making me cranky. :)

In summary, here's a look at my "travel score" so far:
WINNING: Finding clean bathrooms; Affordable, local/fresh fruit parfait!
On PAR: Connecting to Free WiFi for all my belated travel planning; finding decent deals, food
FAILING: Directions, packing

Travel

On one hand, I'm proud that I navigated NYC all by myself before I had a smart phone. On the other hand, I'm relying on it heavily out here.I'm interested to see what changes this will bring upon the world.

Thoughts on international travel (without leaving the country)

Sunday, Valentine's day, was a much needed relax day. I slept in till 9:30 which is an achievement even though it's still only 7:30 my time. Did a short leg workout in my room consisting of 100 squats, sumo squats, side lunges and calf raises, then joined my friends for homemade breakfast burritos.
Watched An Epic Journey about animals in the arctic, narrated by David Attenborough, then decided to bundle up and face the teen-degree temperatures outside. We walked to Philly Aids Thrift where I had to decide if trying on clothes was worth removing my 15 layers. It was, cause they had a special Valentine's sale: half off anything with a shade of red in it! I scored 4 shirts (including a Pendleton flannel), 3 pairs of pants and a sweet shoulder bag... for $25! Good thing I had a little extra room in my backpack...
After another bowl of chili we played a quick round of Settlers of Catan before heading to the bus stop to return me to nyc. I ended up missing my bus (doh!) 

But caught the next one. (11 degrees in nyc) Took subway to a train to the JFK airport, which is huge! 

Just being present in a place that caters to different nationalities has bright some things to my awareness.
1) People actually buy perfume? While waiting in line through security I saw 7 perfume ads, and had to walk past a dozen  perfume/spa/jewelry stores to find a place that sells food.
2) Airports don't sell health food. The food they market as healthy had probably been sitting in a package for 2+ weeks. Tummy, brace thyself.... We might not be eating avocados for a while. 

3) Flight attendants are beautiful. Even the scruffy-faced bro with biceps as big as my head had crystal blue eyes and a cute little Mohawk ponytail. Is flight attending a gateway to modeling or something? 
4) I miss the wilderness already :/ this has been a sad reality check of how the rest of the world lives. People watching is entertaining, but the emphasis on spending/consuming makes me want to crawl under a rock. I know this is just the beginning, so I'm going to brace myself.
And a less related note:
5) what's an NBA all stars game and why is Sting playing (the bass?) At the halftime with two twerking girls?
Next post from London!

Trains, Planes and an Uber good time.

Today was a relatively insignificant though beautiful day.
I awoke in Albuquerque where my friend Aaron saw me off to the airport. Despite sitting next to an annoying mother /daughter duo, I caught up on some of the sleep I missed out on last night due to packing late and travel anxiety. Quick layover in Dallas where I struggled to find a parfait that held my standards and instead settled for a Starbucks smoothie, cause at last there I had a gift card.Sat next to a friendly elderly couple en route to NY, where I suppose I caught up on more sleep, cause I don't remember much after cracking into my London books. Arriving in Nyc, I battled the bristly wind and had my first go at Uber, which was quite satisfying, especially paired with a confidence of getting around in the city. Despite a detour that required walking several city blocks in the 20 degree weather (which would have been fine had I not been dressed for Albuquerque), I arrived at the bus in time to find a clean public restroom. Bussed to Philly with another nap, followed by another Uber ride in which I received a rose, so sweet! 

Then caught up with my dear friend Michael through homemade chili, thin mints, Golden Eye on Wii, coloring and super scrabble.

Now I lay in a warm comfy bed, the sounds of the city barking behind the curtains, ready to prepare in sleep for what tomorrow may bring.

Biking, Beauty, and staying Busy in the Burque.

If I had more energy I'd put this to rhyme, but I want to get this on here and get out on time. 

I love hearing little slices of people's lives. I love imagining how other people live, or getting to participate in their lives for a short period of time. I think it offers a lot of perspective for my own life in many ways. 
I also want people to have a greater understanding of where I'm coming from, to see what influences the things I write about. 
Today was such a beautiful day, I wanted to share it with the world. But as I thought back to a starting point...I realized I've had a pretty exciting week, month and year so far. But I don't want to summarize my life to boredom... so I'm just focusing on the last two days. 

Thursday, 12:30am:
I'm closing the creaking gates on the park behind my lover and his friend as they shout "bye" out the window. After some slight tidying up in the house, I crawl into bed. 
6:00am: Rise and Shine! It's workin' time! I snooze. 30ish minutes later, I pull back the covers and begin my morning routine. Bathroom, open the gates, raise the flags, unlock the bathrooms, admire the sunrise, come into the warm house, put the clean dishes away, turn on the radio, dance. Not wanting to commit to a full workout, I did 1 minute max of full-body exercises, from push-ups, to pull ups (on my rings), to sit-ups and dips, etc. I feel it today. 
Bucket bath in the sink and get ready for a day. Contemplate my new fairly professional style of dress, label it "functionality". 

Bike to work. 2 relatively productive hours+ chatting with co-workers
Bike back to park for 2 hours of pruning fruit trees (+ learning how to prune fruit trees) with a group of women in their 40's-60's. 
Grab a lunch and drive to Balloon Museum for a talk about Citizen Science. Appreciate the cadre of outdoor educators present, and that I am familiar and friendly with almost all of them. 
Leave poster session early for a meeting at a chocolate shop with a group of wonderful women. Order a "South Pacific" which is a HUGE, frothy, chocolatey latte, that made me a little sick to my stomach. Spend the next 2 hours creating an 8 day arts-culture-adventure expedition for women. 

Drive back to the office, Catch up with the boss. Work til 8:00. Phone call to friend (my phone service sucks so I use the land line when I can). 
9:40- drive home. Make dinner. Walk to adjacent building with internet to research some things for my upcoming trip. 
11:00ish? Bedtime ritual, sleep. 

...Friday
6:00am: Rise and Shine! Snooze... 6:15, no really, Rise and Shine! 
Bathroom, gates, flags, bathrooms, inside. Stretch and dance. 12 minute workout: 3 rounds of tabata cardio (mountain climbers, burpees and switch kicks). Bucket bath and dress for the day. (I should probably shower at some point this week...) Bike to the office to grab computer and forgotten journal, then to the train station, hoping each minute that the sun will pop over the Sandias. Arrive at train station with 16 minutes to spare, take advantage of wi-fi (again, shitty phone service =utilizing other resources). Train to Santa Fe and enjoy a delightful 1.7 mile downhill ride to my meeting, where I arrive with 20 minutes to spare. Plan a trip for 50 8th graders!
Bike next door to Santa Fe College of Art and Design which was previously the College of Santa Fe, which I had looked at to go to school. Admire the similarities and differences from 10 years ago. 

Bike to Annapurna's for lunch and catching up with a friend, do some work on the side. Realize I have 17 minutes to catch my train. Bust ass back up hill. See the train in the distance. Begin wheezing. Continue busting...soooo clooosee! Bike toward train, to see it slipping away (next train not for 3 more hours). Wave frantically at train as asthma attack (out of breath+emotions= no good) comes on. Train stops. Doors open. I spend the rest of the ride coming down from that, and getting some work done. 

Take the long way to work. Finish by 6:30! Bike home and start dinner (Spaghetti Squash with sauce from leftover soup + "special toast"). Entertain friends at a semi-work-related/catch-up dinner. Friends leave, I come to write this...
Still to be done tonight: cleaning the house, packing my bags!, and sleeping...'cause at 6:45 I'll be on a plane to NYC!

So, other than possibly an overshare of insight into my world... hopefully this paints a picture of possibilities, and a perspective of how we all engage in this world in different ways. 

Super Powers

The classic question... "If you were a super hero, what would your superpower be?"
Of course, flight and mind-reading have long been deemed sexy. Ambitions of each have outlived the question.... and dreams of making these powers a reality have inspired inventions that have changed our lives every day. The Wright Bros weren't trying to be heroes when they launched their bi-plane. They were simply trying to achieve a dream that others perceived was the work of gods, out of the realm of human possibility.

I have thought of some clever responses. I've actually considered the question quite a bit.
My number one answer: the ability to remember everything I've ever learned. I think I would be much more willing to learn languages if I could store all that data up there....and no crazy equipment is necessary...we only use 0 or so percent of our brains as it is? Nevermind that we're on the cusp of artificial intelligence, and half robot-humanoids.
On a similar vein-- to be able to understand and communicate in any language, even dead ones, would be fascinating. 

But last night I had a new thought. Driving back from a friends house in the cold, a homeless-looking man passed in front of me. I always think about picking up hitch hikers, passersby, or anyone who needs help, but after remembering a horror story or two, decide that today won't be the day. I HATE that I am held back by fear to help another...when I have so much to give. ...I found myself thinking that a great super power would be some sort of force-field or immortality that would repel any abuse...so that I could help those in need without fear.
Then I had a similar thought this morning. I can't remember now what power I was day dreaming of but it inspired a thought: "super powers" are just outrageous goals. ..if we can fine-tune them, and set some parameters, they COULD be achievable- at least in some fraction.
If I really want a better memory, I can work on that.  Flight? Well, as I type this I'm looking down 8000 feet at the city of Dallas below. I've been acknowledged for my ability to read minds, which I attribute to simply paying attention, and having care. Oh, another favorite super-power? That I could eat whatever I want and not gain weight... I'm getting better about eating a healthy (or reasonable portion) of foods I love...and teaching myself to love low-calorie foods that make me feel great, like kale, carrots and cabbage.
As I was boarding the plane this morning, this monologue running through my head, I asked a woman if I could sit in the empty window seat in the row she was sitting in. Her response to my simple request that she let me slip by her was a sour look and long sigh. I thought, she could use the power of grace- learning that to smile a bit and have a sense of humor/not take life too seriously will get you far (though she was probably 70, so she's clearly gotten pretty far along without it).  And I reliazed how attainable that goal would be...and that it didn't require some magic stone or strange goo for us to slowly gain these powers.
I'm starting my year with some new super powers... The power of clarity, for one... acquired by taking time to make decisions and envision the full picture. I'm also working on my power to focus, by creating incentives for achieving full tasks, and setting times for distractions like boyfriends and facebook. 

I think it is also important to recognize the powers I have worked on for years, that have taken years of practice. For years I made a goal of living in the present, and lately, as I reflect more than ever on my past, I've become aware at how good I have become at living Now.
This year, we can all attain super powers. They all start relatively week, but just as I work on my biceps or abs every morning, I will continue to strengthen my new skills...until by my own effort (or the help of a super computer of the future) I have developed a super power...and you can too. 

So, if you could have any super power, what would it be? And how are you going to attain it? 

2015 ~

I typically look forward to the end of each year as a moment of pause and reflection. As was indicative of this year, however, my reflection process for 2015 was slightly different. Nevertheless, for anyone who cares (probably just myself in 1-10 years), here was my 2015 in a slightly statistical summary. 

This has been a huge year of growth for me. I don’t think I’ve fully wrapped my head around it yet. I separated from my partner of 5 years, and I got my first full time job- but there were dozens of accomplishments in between. Most of them came in the form of a simple phrase that I waited years to hear, or a minute action that I doted on for days.

Not surprisingly, I’ve recapped one of the most dramatic years of my life with a series of lists.

Films I saw:

                 In Theaters

Merchants of Doubt
Goosebumps
Mad Max: Fury Road
Jurassic World
Inside Out <3
The Hobbit
Into the Woods
Everest
Sufferegets

                Online/On DVD

The Squid and the Whale
Circo
Chappie
Brothers Karamazov
Horse Whisperer
Boyhood
Fault in our Stars
Woody Allen**
Some others I’ve forgotten

TV shows I started (Damn you people)

Sons of Anarchy
Idiot Abroad 

A bunch of others I only watched a few episodes of. Thank god I don't have a TV. 

Books I Read

Thanks to the tracker on Goodreads, I can tell that I only achieved 50% of my book goal to read 14 books. I read about 2,000 pages in many different genres...

Here they are in order of my favorite to least favorite. 

Lolita (re-read)
House of Leaves (re-read)

The Universe Within

The Boy who Harnessed the Wind

The Bean Trees

Shakespeare: The World as a Stage

Letters to a Young Scientist

States I visited

Twas a relatively limited nomadic year for me, but I did get to cross a new US state off the list (WA). New Mexico, Texas, Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Arizona were visited or lived in by me this year.

(I lost count on these two, so I’m estimating…hoping to keep better track for my own nerdy knowledge in 2016.)

Total number of showers in 2015- approx. 75
Times I used the clothes washer: (not counting laundering ALL the tents for work): 26

Biggest Embarrassment: being forever known as Fan #12 …

Fitness Goals? 25 pushups (check—I did 31 in front of a group of high school boys this summer. Motivation!) 5 pull-ups (I did 6!), 100 burpees in under 8:00 (If I didn’t achieve this, I came really close. I’ll do a better job of keeping track in 2016.

Most Memorable Moment(s): Hiking Keet Seel, watching cicadas emerge, summiting Mt. Wheeler with CJ, talking about my future position while walking around the “other” perimeter with Kris, camping on the Mesa, Portland/Washington trip, reconnecting with old friends. 

I’m expecting 2016 to behold lots of long hours and hard work. Gut-busting laughter. Intimate weddings of people I love dearly, and some engagements of others. New tattoos (knuckles? forearms?), and continuing the transition into an entirely hooded wardrobe. And perhaps, but hopefully not, finding a new place of residence. One thing I am positive of, is that 2016 is going to be an expensive year. I intend to really strengthen myself in all aspects. Bring it, 2016!

That's what she said.

One of the daily rewards of my career is the insight into the unfiltered, curious and sometimes socially unaware brains of children. At the most stressful times they let slip a witty remark, an endearing observation, or just about anything inbetween. Unfortunately, I'm usually too deep in whatever task I'm doing to write them down, but here are a few of the gem's I've either taken time to note, or remembered through retellings. 

• [A Classic from when I worked at High Trails Outdoor Science School]
  Child: "Do you do this for the money, or because you love children?"
  I think I answered honestly, "Neither"
  
• After returning from the bathroom where he went to wash the mud off his hands, pre-k kid says: 

"I washed them like Bieber!"
"What?!"
His teacher interjects-- "like a Beaver- he was splashing like a beaver's tail.
Bummer, I wish he washed like Bieber. 

• Our speech about the rules and guidelines on our Base Camp property concludes with, 

"If you find a creature like a lizard, you're welcome to catch it and hold it, just be respectful of it, and put it back where you found it when you're done."

Second grade kid asks:

"If I find a Bobcat, I can hold it?"

Group leader: "If you catch a Bobcat, YES you can hold it"

• Me: "Rules of the Van- 1. Always have your seatbelt buckled. 2. No eating in the vans. 3. No screaming.
  Colton the Comedian: Rule 4. No Purple!
  Me: Um, yeah.
  Colton: and NO dark BLUE!
  Me: Um...YEAH!

•  Me: "What else does a mammal have all over it's body?"
  Child: "MEAT!"

On my last trip, though, a curious high-schooler asked a question that has stayed in my mind for weeks. 

I can't remember the exact words, but the gist was:

What made you choose to work outside? Instead of inside? Where most women work?

I was just so struck by this. Despite the fact that we were standing on the edge of a canyon looking down on a river below, having just hiked a mile to this look-out point, he seemed unfamiliar with this foreign "outside" world. I guess it struck me because his world seemed so binary: Inside = safe, familiar, fun; Outside=scary, dangerous, foreign, boring. I guess I've never thought of the world like that, or if I have, it's the total opposite. Inside= depression, complications, electricity, buzzing, confinement; Outside= simplicity, beauty, calm, discovery. 

The other part of his question struck me equally. He seemed amazed that as a woman I would brave the outdoors. I acknowledged the generalization of his question, but commented with my own sweeping generalization. "Actually, most of the people who work in my organization are women. It seems that where education and the environment are concerned, women (and white women at that) usually fit the bill. There are many men as well (usually white...), but men interested in the environment tend toward different jobs than education, it seems. 

So why am I a woman working outdoors? For the money? or the children? I work outdoors because it's fulfilling. Because I've never seen anyone in this line of work suffer from depression, or feel unfulfilled. Because I can get PAID to summit mountains and kayak, and teach people along the way. Because I can learn every single day (and I'm rewarded for that). Because I get to work with like-minded people, who are optimistic about the future, but concerned as well. Because I get to hang out with other people's children, teach them my values and beliefs in a fun way, and then give them back. Because my job makes me happy, and I would do it even if I didn't get paid (which is sometimes sort of true). 

Sitting in on a sit-up contest. 

I truly wonder what this generation is going to be like, as we transition into an "inside" culture. I overheard a woman telling her friend that this summer, she made her kids go outside for 15 minutes a day. The other mom responded that she kicks them out and locks the doors and they're lucky if they get to come in for dinner. But what are those kids doing? Not playing in the pond by their house, or exploring the deep recesses of woods in the back of the neighborhood. Because the pond is now a parking lot and those words are a home depot. They probably just walked to their friends house where they can sit on the couch playing video games about going outside. 

In a lot of futuristic movies, there are sky-rise apartments and flying cars. Whenever I see these, I wonder if there are any parks to visit...or what the world below looks like. I'm starting to worry that those futuristic scenes aren't so far off.